COMING OF THE MASTER PART 4

A blacksmith at work at Jalan Tukang Emas in Malacca, Malaysia

Just as a blacksmith hits the hot iron to shape it into something that he desires, Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal 'hit' me on several occasions too. After 10 years of tutorship under him, I have slowly began to understand that he was shaping me. If you want your ego to be crushed come to Tavayogi.

The first day I met him at the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham that he was to officiate in Malaysia, we had a moment to ourselves where I mentioned to him about my Nadi reading. In my Nadi Agathiyar had extended an invitation to me to come to his path. Tavayogi listened attentively. He told me I had come to the right place. After paying homage to a pair of Padugai or Holy sandals representative of Agathiyar's footwear, I fell at Tavayogi's feet only to get a scolding. He told me only fall at Agathiyar's feet. 

When I invited Tavayogi to my home, he readily accepted my invitation. I was told ahead not to perform paatha abhisegam or the ritual of washing the feet of the guru, because Tavayogi did not approve it. I had asked my daughter to videotape his arrival. The moment he stepped out of the car and walked into my home he commented that all that VIP treatment was for politicians. He said he did not need the publicity and attention. My daughter immediately laid down the camera. He sat on a chair that we had placed for him. When the others sat on the floor he immediately followed us saying he did not need the seat. 

When I sent him back I was so intoxicated with joy at having him come over to my home and related my happiness to him. He immediately told me that I was living in illusion (Mayai). "You think I am somebody. I have nothing hidden beneath this orange robe or kaavi", he said. There went my joy out of the window.

When I was with him in Kallar a devotee brought a rudraksham and asked if he should wear it. Tavayogi explained the importance and benefits of wearing one and cautioned him as to how and when to wear it. After he left Tavayogi turned to me and said, "We don't need that, my son".

When the subject about Rasamani or solidified mercury cropped up, I told him I was adorning one. He told me, "We don't need that, my son".

When he saw me wearing a navaratnam embedded ring on my finger, he inquired about it. He told me, "We don't need that, my son".

When we were bathing in the cool waters of the river that ran through Kallar, he went back to fetch both our sandals. I objected to him picking mine but he had me stay put on the bank and continued wading in the water and brought back my sandals to me. 

When we went marketing for foodstuffs at Methupalaiyam, I was struggling with all the stuffs packed into a sack. He turned around, noticing my inability to carry it, snatched the sack from me and hoisted it on his back and walked speedily to the waiting car.

When we went on pilgrimage of the Siddha temples and caves, and after spending a night at Agathiyar's cave at Courtallam, Tavayogi insisted on carrying my dirty linen.

Back home I had had at times gone overboard advising seekers and ended up creating problems for myself. When I called him up and seeked his advice, he turned back at me, asking why I got involved, instead I should have directed them to Agathiyar.

This is how he made me shed every bit of ornament on my body, desires, likes and my ego too.

As Tavayogi continued emptying 'this vessel' both Agathiyar and Tavayogi simultaneously began filling it up with divinity through many directives. Tavayogi passed  a mantra as an initiation into the path of the Siddhas to me, my wife and others while in Malaysia, hence officially starting us off. Seeing that I was already having a painting of Agathiyar and a wooden Padugai or footwear at my altar, Tavayogi directed me to get a Vaasi kol. When Agathiyar came into my home in the form of a bronze statue, Agathiyar directed me to perform libation or abhisegam for him. Later Tavayogi directed me to start performing homam in my home. On one of his visits to my home again, Tavayogi performed the libation and homam. Through observing him, we learnt the finer points of these ritual.

Last October, when I was in his ashram in Kallar with my family, Tavayogi handed us a Padugai and Vaasikol made from the Nunaa tree that had fallen down in strong winds at his ashram grounds, just before our arrival.

Agathiyar has been guiding us through the Nadi readings too, 49 readings to-date.

My family and I are grateful to Agathiyar and the Siddhas, Tavayogi and his able aid, disciple and our mentor too, Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyaar for all the prayers, guidance, and advice that we have had received to-date.

SEEK OUT AGATHIYAR

The following was posted on Agatthiyar Meijnanam, Tuesday, 1 July 2014 Originally Posted by agatthiyar jnanam

275. All of you say "Om Agattheesaaya namaha" says Agatthiyan!

Verse 275

நாடப்பா அகத்தீசர் என்று கூறு
நடுக்கம் வந்தால் என் மேலே பழியைப் போடு
கூடப்பா என் குருவே என்று கூடு
கும்பமுனி குழந்தை என்றே விருது நாட்டு
பாடப்பா என்புகழை பரிந்து பாடு
பாரத்திலே உனதிடுக்கம் தீர்ப்போம் கண்டாய்
தேடப்பா சிவ வாசி ஞானியோரை
தேடினால் உனது கர்மம் தீர்ந்து போச்சே

Translation:

Seek son! Say Agattheesaa!
When you get shivering/shaking blame it on me
Join son! Join me calling “Oh! My Guru”
Establish boldly that you are Kumbamuni’s child
Sing my glory with happiness and grace
We will solve your problems in the world
Seek Siva vaasi jnani
If you search for them, your karma are exhausted.

Commentary:

This verse which seems as an advice for Pulatthiyar seems to be Agatthiyar’s instruction for all of us. He says, “Call out to me Agatheesaa! And come to me saying Oh my Guru. Tell everyone boldly that you are my child. Sing my glory happily and with mercy, I will solve all your problems. Seek wise souls who are Siva vaasi yogi and all your karma will be exhausted.” What a blessing! Om Agattheesaaya namaha!

புலத்தியருக்கு அறிவுரையாகக் காணப்படும் இப்பாடலின் மூலம் நமக்கும் அகத்தியர் ஒரு பெரிய வழிமுறையைக் கற்றுக்கொடுக்கிறார். அவர் நம்மிடம், “ஓ! அகத்தீசா! என் குருவே என்று அவரை அழைத்தவாறு அவர் அருகில் வருமாறும் உலகில் அனைவரிடமும் “நான் அகத்தியரின் குழந்தை” என்று ஆணித்தரமாகக் கூறுமாறும் அவரது புகழை வாயார பாடுமாறும் அவர் நமது கஷ்டங்கள் அனைத்தையும் தீர்த்துவிடுவார் என்றும் சிவ வாசி யோகிகளை ஞானிகளை நாம் தேடவேண்டும் என்றும் அவ்வாறு தேடினால் நமது கர்மங்கள் அனைத்தும் தொலைந்துவிடும் என்றும் கூறுகிறார். எத்தகைய ஒரு ஆசி இது! ஓம் அகதீசாய நமஹ!

Just as Agathiyar invites devotees to turn to him in event of danger, when faced with problems or to resolve their karma, the Siddhas too speak about Agathiyar and his magnanimity.

THE SIDDHAS SPEAK ABOUT AGATHIYAR

The Siddhas too have spoken about the magnanimity of Agathiyar as in the following hymns. The Siddhas have a very high regard towards Agathiyar. They look up towards him as Guru Muni. In the following revelations from the Nadi, the Siddhas praise Agathiyar.

Konganar has this to say about Agathiyar:

தான் என்ற கொடும்பாவம் தீர்க்கும் ஆசான்
தர்மத்தின் வழி சொல்லிக் கருணை வைப்பான்
ஊன் என்ற மந்திரமே உபதேசித்து
உண்மையுடன் சுழி முனையிலே இருக்கும் என்று
கோன் என்று சிவ ரூபம் கண்ணில் காட்டி
கோபமென்ற முனை போக்கி ஆசை போக்கி
தான் என்ற ஆணவங்கள் தன்னைப் போக்கி
நாடுவார் குருநாதன் மோட்சம் தானே

Agathiyar is praised in a traditional hymn as follows:

நெஞ்சார நினைப்பவர்க்கு நிழல் ஆவானை
நீங்காதார் குலம் தழைக்க நிதியாவானைச்
செஞ்சாலி வயற் பொழில் சூழ் தில்லை மூதூர்ச்
சிலம்பொலி போல் பாடுகின்ற சித்தன் தன்னை
வெஞ்சாபமுமில்லை ஒரு வினையுமில்லை
வேலுண்டு துணை வருங்கால் வெற்றி உண்டாம்
அஞ்சாதீர் என்று யுக யுகத்தும் தோன்றும்
அகத்தியனை அருட்குருவை அகத்துள் வைப்பாம்

Thirumular coins the following hymns about Agathiyar (Source: Thirumula Devan Agatheesarai Pugalnthu Suvadi Moolam Aruliya Arutkavigal - Arul Gnana Aran Sirappu - Agathiyan Arul Moopu by Sri Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam Turaiyur)

காலனையும் கைக்குள்ளே அடக்கிக்கொண்டு
கருணை என்ற கடல் தனிலே ஆட்சி செய்து
ஞாலமதில் ஞானத்தை காத்து நின்று
ஞானிகளை ஆக்கி நின்ற ஞானத்தேவே

தேவே நின் திருவடிகள் மூலன் இப்போ
தெரிவிப்பேன் குருமுனியின் ஆசியோடு
கூறிடுவேன் தலைவா நின் அடியைப் போற்றி
குருமுனியே திருமுனியே அறிந்தவர்க்கு

அறிந்தவர்க்கு அறக்கடலாய் விளங்குவாரே
அருள் என்றல் அகத்தியன் தான் வணங்குவோர்க்கு
குறிப்பறிந்து குறை நீக்கும் குருவே கும்பன்
குந்தகத்தை உடைத்தெறியும் அருளே கும்பன்

கும்பனருள் நிகர் சொல்ல எவருமில்லை
குகனும் சிவன் தனக்கு நிகர் அருளைத் தந்தார்
எம்மறையும் அவர் உரைத்தால் பின்தான் சொல்வோம்
ஏழு என்றால் நாங்கள் எல்லாம் கரத்தைக் கட்டி

கட்டி நின்று கால் பற்றி ஆசி கேட்போம்
கடாட்சமென்றல் அவர் ஈந்தால் உண்டு என்போம்
சட்டிசுட வேண்டுமென்றால் கும்பனைக்கேள்
சாகாவரம் வேண்டுமென்றால் கும்பனைக்கேள்

கும்பனைக்கேள் குடும்பமுடன் ஞானம் சொல்வார்
கோடிலக்கம் வேண்டுமா கும்பனைக்கேள்
எம்மானும் கும்பனே எல்லோர்க்கும் தான்
எங்களுக்கு வாசி தந்த வாசி கும்பன்

கும்பன் தான் ஔடதமும் நவக்கோளும் தான்
கும்பன் தான் குவலயமே வேறு ஏது
கும்பன் என்றால் ஆயிரத்தெட்டு அண்டமெல்லாம்
குறுகி நின்று நடு நடுங்கும் பராக்கிரமங்கள்

பராக்கிரமம் இகபரமும் சொல்வார் கும்பன்
பாடிட்டால் மாற்றம் சொல்ல எவனும் இல்லை
பராக்கிரமும் வாளையைப் போல் அளிப்பார் கும்பன்
பட்டமரம் துளிர்க்குமடா கும்பன் சொன்னால்

கும்பன் சொன்னால் குளவிகூட குதிறையாகும்
குருமுனிக்கு கிரியாவும் கடுகாய் நிற்கும்
கும்பனையே வணங்கியோர்க்கு குறைகளண்டா
குறையில்லா காப்பாக இருப்பார் என்றும்

Pulipaani lists out all the praises of Agathiyar by the other Siddhas (Source: Maagaan Pulippaani Sidhar Aasi Kaandam - Gnanigal Suvadi Moolam Aruliya Arul Vaakku by Sri Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam Turaiyur)

ஆசியதும் கூறுகின்ற என் குருநாதா
அடிபணிந்து புலிப்பாணி உரைப்பேனிப்போ

Beginning with Bhogar:

பாசமுடன் அகத்தியனின் அருளை வேண்டி
பகலிரவாய் நாமத்தை செபித்துக் கொண்டு

செபித்து திரிகின்ற மக்கள் நீங்கள்
சிறப்புடன் இப்புவியில் வாழ்வீரப்பா
தப்பில்லா கலியுகத்தில் உயர்ந்து வாழ்வீர்
தவமுனி அகத்தியனை நினைத்துவிட்டால்

நினைத்தாலே ஈரேழு சென்ம பாவம்
நீங்கிடுமே என்றுமே போகர் சொன்னார்

Valluvar:

நினைவுகொண்ட முனிவரெல்லாம் தவமிருந்து
நானிலத்தில் தவம் செய்து அகத்தியம் கண்டார்

அகத்தியத்தை கண்டதொரு முனிவரெல்லாம்
அகிலத்தில் ரிஷிகளாய் வாழ்வார் இன்று
ஜெகத்திலே மாந்தர்கள் அகத்தியத்தை
சிறப்புடன் பூசித்தால் தேவராவார்

தேவராவார் என்றுமே வள்ளுவர் சொன்னார்

Shivavaakiyar:

தெரிந்திட்ட மாந்தர்கள் பூசை செய்து
பலவினைகள் நீங்கியே பல்லாண்டு வாழ்ந்தார்
பாருலகில் பலசிறப்பு அகத்திய நாமம்

அகத்திய நாமமதும் செபித்து நின்றால்
அகிலத்தில் வினையில்லா சேய் பிறக்கும்
புகழுடன் சிவவாக்கியர் கூறி நின்றார்

Avvaiyaar:

பல்லாயிரம் ஆண்டு காலம் வாழ்வதற்கு

வாழ்வதற்கு அகத்திய நாமம் பெருமருந்தாகும்
விளக்கமுடன் கூறினார் ஔவையார் தானும்

Paambaatti Sidhar:

தாழ்வில்லா அகத்தியரை வணங்கி நின்றால்
தரணியிலே மரணமில்லா வாழ்வார் என்று
என்றுமே கூறி நின்றார் பாம்பாட்டி சித்தர்

Pulipaani continues with the lists:

இப்படியே சித்தர்கள் முனிவர்களெல்லாம்
நான்கு யுகங்களாய் அகத்தியர் மகிமை
நல்லதை கூறியே யுகம் போற்ற வாழ்ந்தார்

Machamuni:

போற்றிடவே மும்மூர்த்தி தேவர்களும்
புனிதமுள்ள சித்தர்களும் ரிஷிகளெல்லாம்
குற்றமில்லா கணபதியும் முருகனோடு
கண்டதொரு தேவதைகள் கணங்களோடு

கணங்களுடன் பூதங்கள் நவக்கோள்கள்
குவலயத்தில் காண்பதொரு நிறங்களெல்லாம்
மணம் வீசும் நறுமணங்கள் திசைகள் பத்தும்
முழுமையும் இவ்வுலகம் அகத்தியம் என்று

என்றுமே கூறிட்டார் மச்சமுனி நூலும்

And finally Pulipaani too has something to say:

இவ்வளவு அற்புதங்கள் ஒன்றென்றால் அகத்திய நாமம்
என்றென்றும் நாமத்தை செபித்து விட்டால்
செபித்தோர் முதல் இலட்ச மக்கள் பலனடைவார்

அடைந்திடும் நாமத்தை உலகோர்கெழுதி
அறிய செய்வோர் அகத்தியருக்கும் சேயுமாவார்
எடுத்துரைக்க இதுகாலம் போராதப்பா
இதுக்கொரு விதியுண்டு சித்தர் கேட்க

சித்தர்கட்கு எடுத்துரைப்போம் அறிவீர்கள் நீங்கள்
சிவபெருமான் பார்வதியும் மகிழ்ந்துமிப்போ
ஒதிடவே புலிபாணி ஓடிவந்தேன்
உலகில் நீங்கள் உயர் செல்வ நிதிகளோடு

நிதிகளுடன் அதிர்ஷ்டங்கள் பெற்று வாழ
நிதி தெய்வம் இலக்குமியை வணங்கியாசி
ஒதிடவே உயர் ஞானம் கல்வி காண
உலகிலே சரஸ்வதியை வணங்கி ஆசி

ஆசியதுவுடன் பார்வதியை போற்றுகிறேன்
அருள் பொருள் இன்பமதும் நிறைவு காண
பாசமுடன் தினங்காத்து நல்வழி காட்ட
பரமசிவன் அருள் முனிவர் அகத்தியர் போற்றி

போற்றியே வணங்குகின்றேன் புலிப்பாணியிப்போ
புவிதனிலே அகத்தியத்தை வணங்கிவிட்டால்
நிறைவுபெற்ற மரணமில்லா வாழ்வடைவீர்
நினைத்தவண்ணம் நிதி செல்வம் குன்றா வாழ்வு

வாழ்வதனில் உலகமுள்ள காலம்மட்டும்
வாழ்ந்திடும் உங்கள் குடி செழித்து நன்றாய்
அழகுபட ஆனந்தமாய் வாழ்வீர் என்றும்

COMING OF THE MASTER PART 3

Closer to our present time, Ram Dass details his very first encounter with his master, a moment etched in time.

Ram Dass writes about this moment in time where his life would take a turn at http://www.ramdass.org/bees-come-uninvited/

Ram Dass recalls another moment with his master at http://www.ramdass.org/the-touch-of-grace/

Ram Dass had many opportunities to observed others come in search of his master as he narrates at http://www.ramdass.org/darshan-meeting-spirit/

All this reminds me of my own moments with my master. I was blessed to have the companionship of the gods right from day one, but sadly I was not aware of it. Although it was pointed to me on several occasions but it did not create any drastic change in me or my thoughts. 

As a child I was always taken to a Chinese medium in the event I felt sick. He was our neighbor then. He had this huge altar and a huge painting of a Chinese deity. He was huge too. I can vividly remember the ritual. He would go into a trance and bring up the blunt side of his sword and strike his back several times while he continued his chanting in Chinese. Then he would pick up a yellow strip of paper and scribbled Chinese characters with red ink and brush. He would then burn this paper and have the ash drop into a glass of water which he would pass to me with love and kindness to drink. And I was cured. This was how it was all the while until my very first visit to the hospital after I was bitten by a dog. Fearing I could contact rabies I seek medical attention at the general hospital and thus henceforth ended my visits to the Chinese medium. 

Later as a teenager I dropped by a Chinese temple to pay my respects to my godfather. While there I was asked if I wanted to 'look into the future'. The caretaker handed me a can of sticks on which was etched numbers. I was asked to shake the can of sticks till one dropped out. The single sticks that carried a number was referred to a huge book. The caretaker started reading from the book. He told me I had many friends.When I took it literally he corrected me saying that he meant the gods where looking over my shoulders.

This was the time I engaged in rigorous worship. I frequented all the temples in the vicinity almost daily. I conducted prayers both in the early morning hours of Brahma Muhurtham and at dusk too. At the same time I saw many things take place around me that saddened me and I began to question the silent nature of god and his policy of non-interference. I though god was not being fair to certain individuals and staunch devotees. I could not comprehend his workings. I questioned god. I fought with him. I stayed away from him till I got answers. That was also the time I was having dreams upon dreams every-night, seeing gods and goddesses and saints and sages. In one dream Lord Shiva appeared and told me to reserve my questions to a later date. After that I dropped every form of worship. The year was 1988.

In 2001 my nephew came along and told me he had a message for me. He asked me to follow him to my prayer room. He caution me not to mentioned whatever took place in that room to anyone then. I believe I can share it now. As he sat in padmasanam his body shook. I was asked to repeat a mantra AUM NAMO BHAGAVATHE VASUDEVAAYA NAMA thrice. Following that revelation he handed me a painting of Lord Dhakshanamurthy to be worshiped after a few days. He told me this would prepare me to meet my master. As it was the period of Navarathri celebrations he directed me on foods to consume and those to avoid. He shared hymns and mantras of Goddess Durga, Laskhmi and Saraswathy to chant during this period.

A year after I saw the Kaanda Nadi out of curiosity, eagerness to know my past birth, and to know if I had been cursed! Prior to reading the Nadi, I had always consulted my friend, astrologer and Siddha practitioner Dr Krishnan. When his predictions for me did not materialize I asked if there could be a reason behind it. He told me that predictions would not materialize if one had been cursed. I asked him if he could tell if I was cursed from reading my charts. He told me it was not possible but pointed me to the Nadi. This was in 1996.

Reading the Kaanda Nadi, Agathiyar confirmed it. But Agathiyar graciously showed me a way out too. He asked that I perform atonement or Parikaaram. I performed these in Malaysia and journeyed to India to have the rests of my Parikaaram done. 

On the last leg of my pilgrimage to India in 2003, I had already circumbulated Lord Annamalaiyaar in the form of the Holy Hill at Thiruvannamalai and had much time on hand before returning to Malaysia. I decided to seek an astrologer to chart my second daughters future as requested by my wife just before I departed for India. I asked Deva, my chauffeur if he knew anyone. He brought me to his uncle, who stayed 8 kms away from Thiruvannamalai in a village known as Nachaananthal.

As I stepped  out of the white ambassador, a elderly man in a white vesti  approached Deva and me. Deva introduced me as a tourist from Malaysia. His uncle did not say a word but instead lead us straight to his altar and prayer room. He lighted up a camphor, showed the arati and returned to the veranda. When Deva told him I was there for my daughters astrological chart, he asked his son Ramajayam to bring out his deer skin and also the past almanacs or Panjangam.

As he sat on the deer skin, he surprised me by talking about me, revealing the things mentioned in the Nadi by Agathiyar and my future! All these he did with his eyes closed, opening only occasionally to peer into me with love and kindness. I spent 5 mesmerizing hours in his presence that day, before he gave me a mantra HARA HARA SHIVA SHIVA SHIVA SHIVAYA NAMASHIVAYA SHIVAYA NAMA AUM to recite and sent me off.

Supramania Swami poses for me as I bid farewell to him in 2003

Supramania Swami was to be my very first guru. We used to communicate by mail initially and later by phone. He went into samadhi on 7.2.2007. In the Nadi reading (after a couple of days) on 10.2.2007 Agathiyar speaks with great regard and highly about Supramania Swami and dictates to me my responsibilities towards my departed guru.

Supramania Swami

Supramania Swami's Samadhi

Following the demise of my guru, henceforth started another chapter in my life under the tutelage of my second guru, Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of Kallar!

COMING OF THE MASTER PART 2

Richard Schiffman writes about how Totapuri spotted Ramakrishna, “... the very moment his hawk’s eyes alighted on the huddled figure of Ramakrishna rapt with inward joy on the ghat steps, Totapuri’s mind froze in its tracks, stunned".

Unlike Ramakrishna who had been granted a vision by the gods and had recognized Naren on meeting him the first time, Totapuri did not recognize Ramakrishna when he first caught sight of him amidst a gathering of pilgrims by the Ganges. Totapuri had not received the divine edict to search out Ramakrishna and to instruct him.

Richard Schiffman continues to write,

Quite against the aloof habits of his sadhu’s life he (Totapuri) felt compelled to make an unusual offer.

Totapuri strode to Ramakrishna and addressed him, “My son I see that you have already traveled far along the way to truth. If you wish it I can help you reach the next stage. I will teach you Vedanta.”

The prospect of fresh spiritual instruction thrilled Ramakrishna as always with a joyous expectancy. “I will have to get my mother’s permission first,” replied Ramakrishna and off he went to the temple of Kali. He was back in a moment and conveyed his mother’s consent to Totapuri. The divine mother had given her assent revealing that it was for the purpose of his instruction in non-dualism that she had brought Totapuri to Dakshineswar. From that moment onward Ramakrishna gave himself unreservedly to the holy man’s care.

Ramakrishna struggled mightily, Richard Schiffman writes, to follow Totapuri’s instruction on meditation.

It was no use; the last and most subtle barrier, the golden chain of his devotion, barred the path. The personal God who had lighted his way and guided his steps now stood as a barrier to the realization of the impersonal reality.

Richard Schiffman conveys Ramakrishna’s own electrifying description,

“I tried on several occasions to concentrate my mind on the truth of Advaita Vedanta; but each time the form of the Mother intervened. I said to Totapuri in despair, “It’s no good. I will never be able to lift my spirit to the unconditioned state and find myself face to face with the Atman!” 

"He replied severely, “What do you mean you can’t? You must!”

"Looking about him he found a shard of glass. He took it and struck the point between my eyes, saying, and “Concentrate your mind on that point.” 

"Then I began to meditate with all my might, and soon the gracious form of the Divine Mother appeared. I used my discrimination as a sword and cut her in two. The last barrier vanished and my spirit immediately precipitated itself beyond the plane of the conditioned. I lost myself in Samadhi.”

B.V.Narasimha Swami in SELF REALIZATION - THE LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI describes vividly the very first moment, after Ramana’s arrival in Tiruvannamalai on the morning of 1 September 1896, when Ramana sees Arunachaleswarer. 

With quick steps and a bounding heart Ramana proceeded straight to the great temple of Arunachaleswarar. The gates of the three high compound walls and all the inner doors were open. There was not a soul beside him there; and it looked as though the father was thus preparing to welcome his beloved son who marched straight to the innermost shrine without any hindrance. He stood awhile there in ecstasy and then left the sanctuary.

In 1947 with a burning desire to realize his innate divinity, Ramsuratkumar set off in search of a master. The search for his spiritual father brought him first to Sri Aurobindo and later to Ramana. 

Truman Caylor Wadlington in his book YOGI RAMSURATKUMAR - THE GODCHILD OF TIRUVANNAMALAI writes,

Meeting the Maharishi’s (Ramana) gaze he went into a visual rapport with him and completely lost himself in the timeless wonder of that Godly soul. He felt as though he existed during that short while not as his solitary physical body but something far greater, far more glorious and vast. His innermost being underwent a spiritual transfiguration.

After spending three days with Ramana, he moved on to Swami Ramdas. 

Truman Caylor Wadlington writes, “However, unlike his meetings with Ramana and Aurobindo he felt no attraction to Ramdas.” Ramsuratkumar could not bring himself to accept Ramdas’s life of luxury. He returned to his home in Kashi. Ramsuratkumar visited Ramdas repeatedly but he felt the same way towards Ramdas each time he was with Ramdas. 

When Ramana followed by Aurobindo, passed away, Ramsuratkumar thought that he should open himself to the remaining sole savior Ramdas. In 1952, he arrived again at Ramdas’s ashrams; only this time Ramdas turned out to be an entirely different person. 

Truman writes,

It is interesting to note that when he arrived the third time the holy man was actually awaiting his arrival in expectation and greeted him just as a father would have received his own son.

Ma Devaki writes in YOGI RAMSURATKUMAR -THE DIVINE BEGGAR, published by Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram, Tiruvannamalai, July 2008,

According to Sri Yogiji, the four years of tutelage under Sri Aurobindo and Maharishi Ramana were a period of ceaseless transformation of the human into the divine - a period of construction of all that was conducive, destruction of all that was dross and sublimation of all into greater and greater awakening. His days see-sawed between heights of ecstasy and depths of gloom.

When finally the Yogi came to Ramdas,

He was already a ripe fruit needing but a gentle tap from the Siddha of Kerala (Ramdas) for final consummation with God. Now a divine madness, bordering sometimes on the vestiges of insanity, gripped him uncontrollably. Yogi Ramsuratkumar laughed and wept, sang and danced and yet other times sat still as a stone or rolled on the ground, ecstatically overwhelmed by beatific surges of divine consciousness.

For many years Ramdas had secretly worked on the disciple to accustom his body gradually to higher rates of vibration. Then Ramdas initiated him into the repetition of the Ram Mantra. What was to transpire immediately was a vivification of the centers or Chakras of the inner man, a radical elimination of all impurities and a sudden influx of energy directed through the master and accompanied by a release of latent spiritual fire within the disciple. The initiation would throw him into the cosmic dimensions of the divine mind and open doors to fields of activity and realms of consciousness hitherto unknown to him.

When the initiation was complete Swami Ramdas remained silent for a moment and then said, “Go and repeat this mantra day and night all the twenty four hours.”

In WAVES OF LOVE published by Yogi Ramsuratkumar Bhavan Mauritius, 2009, the yogi is quoted, 

“Swami (Ramdas) has killed this beggar, but life has come. Millions and millions of salutations at the lotus feet of my Master, Swami Ramdas! He has initiated this beggar in Ram Nam and has asked to chant it all the twenty-four hours. This beggar began to do it and in the space of a week, this beggar has this madness. The same madness still continues.”

Truman writes, 

In the course of only seven days and seven nights the yogi made the great exodus from the kingdom of man to the kingdom of God. The latent forces released within him combined with the power of the master whipped him out of bondage into limitless freedom and from the mists of human intelligence into the luminous consciousness of the divine mind.

Ramsuratkumar left the home of his master for Tiruvannamalai but only arrived at Tiruvannamalai after seven long years having wandered the length and breadth of India.

“In his early autobiography IN QUEST OF GOD published by Anandaashram, Ramdas describes how he attained the divine vision through the grace of the Maharishi.” Swami Ramdas too had been with Ramana Maharishi as quoted in the FRAGRANT PETALS published by Sri Ramanasramam, 2005. 

Ramdas addressed Ramana on his first visit to the Maharishi,“Maharaj here stands before thee a humble slave. Have pity on him. His only prayer to thee is to give him thy blessing.”

Ramana turned to look at Ramdas and nodded his head. A thrill of inexpressible joy coursed through Ramdas, his whole body quivering like a leaf in the breeze.

Swami Ramdas in VISION, the monthly journal of Anandaashram comments further about his state, 

"Ramdas went to Ramana in a state of complete obliviousness of the world. He felt thrills of ecstasy in his presence. The Maharishi made the awakening permanent in Ramdas."

Ramdas dived into deep meditation in a cave atop the mountain Arunachala. He held undisturbed communion with Lord Rama.

COMING OF THE MASTER PART 1

What happens with the coming of a master? Srinath Raghavan posted the following on fb.

We all live in a personal bubble of our own,
A bubble which is highly colorful but opaque,
So nothing outside it's purview is ever seen by us,
We live and die our life, inside this fantastic bubble,
Thinking and believing whatever in it is the only truth,
Nothing outside can ever exist and it should not too,
We can very well break it's brittle wall from inside,
But we choose not to, for the fear of being exposed to uncertainty,
When with the touch of the Master from outside, the bubble breaks,
That's when we will finally realize, how foolish and limited we were,
To have accepted the truth that's known to us, as the Final Truth...
~ Freedom is breaking the bubble and seeing and feeling the reality beyond your own.

Yes, with the touch of the Master from outside, the bubble breaks and reality dawns. Then as Ramana Maharishi says, "... the spiritual energy of a master transforms the consciousness of men."

Paul Zweig in the introduction to Swami Muktananda’s ‘THE PERFECT RELATIONSHIP’, SYDA Foundation, 1985, writes about the moment the master came into Muktananda's life.

"After almost twenty five years he met Bhagawan Nithyananda who became his guru. In a flash of self understanding he knew that he had found his other half; that now he was whole again."

Swami Muktananda mentions in his book ‘SECRET OF THE SIDDHAS’, Siddha Yoga Publication, 1980, that his master gave him one word that completely transformed him. And he also mentions he had to spend such a long time with Bhagawan Nithyananda to receive it.

Bhagawan Nithyananda, who always traveled barefoot, to everyone’s surprise once wore sandals. 

“Take these sandals, put them on,” he instructed Muktananda. 

Muktananda questioned his guru, “Gurudev you have worn these Padukas. How can I wear them?’’. 

But nevertheless he did accept them. Then at that very moment he saw a ray of light coming from Bhagawan Nithyananda’s eyes and it went straight into him. He could feel it too. 

Margaret Simpson writes,

It was searing red hot and so bright that it dazzled his eyes. Every hair on Baba’s (Muktananda) body rose in awe. He kept repeating, “Guru Om, Guru Om, ” He lost all sense of himself. He only came out of it when Nithyananda made a sound. As he set off for home that day carrying Bhagawan’s sandals on his head Muktananda was filled with wonder and gratitude. 

Muktananda says, 

"That word (Guru Om), which I receive after so many years, spread through my body from head to toe like wildfire carried by the wind. It produced in me both inner heat and the coolness of joy. Before meeting my guru I had practiced many different kinds of yoga, but it was I who had practiced them. However, that word activated a spontaneous yoga within me. I was filled with amazement."

He says everything - postures, Mudras and breathing processes - all these happened on its own. He became ecstatic.

After the awakening of the Shakti, this process of yogic movements began to take place within my entire body. The pulsation of his ecstasy pervades my entire body like the movement of the wind. The Kriyas were his, the yoga was his, and meditation took place because of him. The final message that I received was from him. The power of his word permeates each of my blood cells; the fluids of my entire body are his. That is why I am joyful. Gurudev entered me and replaced all my bodily fluids with his. He evicted me and took up residence in me. He annihilated my ego. By making my individuality his, he became me. This is the guru’s compassion. Only when I lost myself in the ecstasy of Bhagawan Nithyananda did I realize who he was.

Swami Muktananda says his joy arises from the one word - Guru Om; from the churning of the love between the guru and the disciple. He adds,

"Only the guru can know that delight and taste the elixir that arises in every pore of the body."

For Swami Vishnudevananda, meeting his guru entirely changed his outlook on life, as he narrates further in his book ‘MY YEARS WITH THE MASTER’ available at http://www.sivanandaonline.org.

As if by chance, I had found a piece of paper that intrigued me. One night when I was working late and was searching for a misplaced paper, I found a small pamphlet in the trash basket. It was called ‘SADHANA TATTVA’ and was by Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh. As soon as I read it, my body began to shake. It began with ‘An ounce of practice is worth tons of theory.’ Here was a teacher who was down-to-earth and practical. There was nothing mysterious about his teachings; I felt that I had to meet him for myself. I got a few days leave from the army.

I was an arrogant boy on leave from the army. It meant that I had to travel a day and a night from my army base in Jullunder. I would have only a few hours at the Ashram - just to see the Master and then go right back.

The first time I saw Swami Sivananda he was sitting with about 30 or 40 people around him. He looked like an ordinary man among them. The look on his face and manner of speech were simple and straightforward. Each word came from his heart. There was no kind of religious hypocrisy, no sitting on a tiger skin with ashes smeared all over his body. He had an extraordinary spiritual glow.

The second time, I saw him Swami Sivananda was coming up the stairs in my direction. I didn't want to bow my head to him. I was young and arrogant and never wanted to bow my head to anybody -Swami, God - realized soul or whoever, I didn't care. But it is the tradition in India that you should bow your head to a holy man. To avoid the situation I just moved out of his path. The Master saw me and headed in my direction. He asked me who I was and where I was coming from. Then he bowed down and touched my feet!! 

My whole body began to shake violently. With all my heart, with all my life and love, I learned to bow without any type of reservation. He touched my heart not with miracles or shows of holiness, but with his perfect ego-less nature. He didn't consider that I was just a stupid boy standing there, though I was just that. He touched my heart and broke the ego. That was my first lesson, and if I could attain one millionth of the state of egolessness of the Master, it is His Grace.

Before leaving, I went down the Ganga where it was the custom of the Ashram to do Aarati (waving of lights) every evening. All the devotees and inmates of the Ashram assembled by the banks of the Ganga to watch Master perform this evening worship. I was skeptical. I was of a scientific temperament and knew that a river is only water, H2O - imagine worshiping H20!! But as I stood there and watched Master waving the lights, I saw the river become a mass of flowing lights. At that instant the river assumed a divine flow, a manifestation of the Grace of the Lord. Master turned and looked at me and in my mind I heard his message, “God pervades everything; this too is His Special Form.”

This entirely changed my outlook on life.

Richard Schiffman in ‘SRI RAMAKRISHNA – A PROPHET FOR THE NEW AGE’, Paragon House, 1989 mentions that Ramakrishna had had a vision of Naren (who later came to be known as Swami Vivekananda). Ramakrishna on meeting Naren immediately recognized him. Richard Schiffman shares Naren’s own account of his first meeting with the master.

Ramakrishna took Naren away from the room where several other devotees were gathered, to the northern 

veranda.

To my great surprise, he (Ramakrishna) began to weep with joy. He held me by the hand and addressed me very tenderly, as if I was long familiar to him. He said, “You’ve come so late! Was that right? Couldn’t you have guessed how I’ve been waiting for you? My ears are nearly burnt off listening to the talk of these worldly people. I thought I would burst not having anyone to tell how I really felt!”

He went on like that - raving and weeping. And then suddenly he folded his palms together and began addressing me as if I was some divine being, “I know who you are my Lord. You are Nara, the ancient sage, the incarnation of Lord Narayana. You have come back to earth to take away the sufferings and sorrows of mankind.”

I didn’t answer him and let this wonderful madman go on talking as he chose. Then he took my hand and said, “Promise me you’ll come back here soon, alone.” 

I couldn’t refuse his request; it was made so earnestly. So I had to say, “I will.”

Hence began a wonderful relationship between the master and his disciple.

The first encounters of gurus with their masters had always amazed me. These precious and prized moments where the guru identifies the disciple and the disciple accepts the teachings of the guru is always exciting to read again and again. I have compiled these sacred moments when the master meets the disciple and vice versa in a book entitled ‘FIRST ENCOUNTERS WITH THE MASTERS’.

THE SRI ANANDHAVALLI AMBIGA SAMETHA SRI AGASTHEESWARA SWAMI ALAYA MUNDRAM AANDU VIZHA PART 2

Jnana Jyothi Amma forwarded the following video and photos taken at the above function.

YOGI RAMAIAH

I heard about Yogi Ramaiah and very much wanted to meet him. I came to know that he frequently came to Malaysia. Then in 2006, I came across in a local Tamil daily that carried the news that he had passed away on 12.7.2006 in Malaysia and preparations were being made to bring him over to India. I rushed to the address where his mortal form was laid.  I got to see his mortal frame. I paid my respects to him. He was placed at a temple for Babaji. There were not many people around then. Some devotees were chanting Babaji’s Naama Japa. 

Ramaiah was born on May 9, 1923 at the mansion of SA Annamalai Chettiar, the Ananda Vilas, in Kanadukathan. His family had served Ramana Maharishi for 3 generations. Besides that a Sadhu, Chela Swami used to frequent their home.

Sadly Ramaiah contracted bone tuberculosis which stopped him from traveling to the USA to continue his studies. He was immobilzed for 6 years. His wife and servants cared for him at San Thome in Madras. Ramaiah used this time to read up on all the Indian spiritual literature. During these years, Prasanananda Guru aided him in meditation while Omkara Swami shared his knowledge of yoga. Ramaiah also published his first book based on Omkara Swami’s life, "A BLISSFUL SAINT." In 1952, he had a visit from Mauna Swami too, a disciple of Shirdi Sai Baba. Shortly afterwards, Ramaiah had a vision of Shirdi Sai Baba. He asked if Baba was his Guru. Baba replied, "No, but I will reveal to you who your guru is", and Ramaiah was shown his guru Babaji.

One day Ramaiah succumbed to the pain and misery that he was undergoing and decided to end his life by holding his breath. Suddenly he heard Babaji's voice telling him, "Do not take your life! Give it to me!" Surprised at the divine intervention Ramaiah surrendered to Babaji.

The next day, upon awakening, Ramaiah felt that he was healed. Summoning the doctors, and to everyone's astonishment Ramaiah was indeed healed completely. Soon Ramaiah regained the use of his legs. In another vision Ramaiah saw Babaji limping and questioned him. To his surprise, Babaji replied he was taking on Ramaiah's illness (bone tuberculosis)!

Ramaiah started chanting Babaji’s Nama Japam, "Om Kriya Babaji Nama Aum."

Meanwhile Ramaiah seeing an advert of VT Neelakantan’s book, No 9 BOAG ROAD based on Satguru Rama Devi, requested a copy. VT Neelakantan met Ramaiah at San Thome and hence began a friendship between the 51 year old Neelakantan and the 29 year old Ramaiah. Besides delivering the book, VT Neelakantan shared a secret with Ramaiah too. He was visited by Babaji at his prayer room in Madras every night!

Babaji through VT Neelakantan asked them both to collaborate to establish a Yoga society named after him, the Kriya Babaji Sangam in 1952 and its information arm the Kriya Yoga Magazine and to spread his teachings in a series of books, "THE VOICE OF BABAJI AND MYSTICISM UNLOCKED," "BABAJI'S MASTERKEY TO ALL ILLS," and "DEATH OF DEATH." 

Later Babaji began appearing to Ramaiah too. Ramaiah now 31, was summoned to Badrinath by Babaji in 1954. After three days of wandering, Babaji revealed himself physically to Ramaiah. Ramaiah received training from Babaji in Kriya Yoga. Ramaiah was acquainted with Babaji's principle disciples too, Annai Nagalakshimi Deviyar and Dadaji.

Once back in Madras in 1955, Ramaiah continued his tapas and started the worship of Kali.

Hence he came to be known as Yogi Ramaiah.

Under the instructions of Babaji, Yogi Ramaiah, moved to Bombay with his wife, to study physiotherapy. While there he did many wonders, of curing the ill with his knowledge of yoga and physiotherapy. Soon he returned to Madras to practice.

From 1956 Yogi Ramaiah and his wife took to the road to preach, teach and heal, which brought them to Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Vietnam. In 1954, Ramaiah initiated the "Parliament of World Religions and Yoga", which was then held annually. He published "SONGS OF THE 18 SIDDHAS" in 1968, based on preserved old palm leaf manuscripts of the writings of the 18 Siddhas that he had collected along the way over a span of 25 years.

After his wife passed away, he journeyed again to Malaysia and also to Australia and New Zealand before moving to the United States in 1968. From a small following, that formed the "American Babaji Yoga Sangam", it mushroomed to more than 50 yoga centers throughout the world. He built many holy shrines and temples too.

Based on Yogi Ramaiah's biography at http://www.babajiskriyayoga.net/english/articles/art25-yogi-ssa-ramaiah.htm, M.Govindan's BABAJI AND THE 18 SIDDHA KRIYA YOGA TRADITION, and Yogi Ramaiah's BABAJI GITA.

GOD DOES NOT HAVE AN IMAGE

The Immortal One said, "I have no image of myself. Whatever you see, it is not I. But I operate through my disciple. So if you have seen him, you have seen Me, through your own eyes..." 
~ Babaji on Ram Charan Lahari Mahasaya.

Srinath Raghavan posted the above on FB. Beautifully said. 

It is said that Ramalinga Adigal's image too could not be caught on film (photographed).

Agathiyar too takes us to task for portraying him and the gods to our liking as revealed through the Jeeva Nadi in Sitthan Arul. Agathiyar asks the Jeeva Nadi Guru of Chennai to start immediately to Kanjamalai and points out to him a statue of him. With regret Agathiyar says, that he has been portrayed with a big pot belly and old. Lobhamudra, on the other hand, has been potrayed as an 18 year old. Agathiyar says he is been ridiculed by man. He points to yet another statue of him and tells the Jeeva Nadi Guru that he is been portrayed as a 90 year old. "It looks like I have to remind mankind that I am not this", he quips. "Looks like man will give form to the gods as and how they like and change these forms according to their whims and wishes."

"God goes beyond forms", says Agathiyar.

In my Nadi reading on 17.10.2010, Agathiyar talks about how it is possible to achieve all the benefits of practicing Hatha Yoga through conducting prayers. He talks about performing charity too. Then he surprises me saying that from this point on (the reading), he was relaying the messages from Ganapati Dasar. Ganapati was pleased that I had assumed Agathiyar as Ganapati and performed the prayers (Puja), libation (Abhisegam) and the fire ritual (Homam) for him (Ganapati) on his Chathurthi.

"This is the truth and how it is. We are all one", he says. Agathiyar reveals that just as all of creation is within him, he too is within all creation. Agathiyar says he shall take on the form of whoever we chose to see. 

Lahiri Mahasaya

An account of Lahiri Mahasaya’s (Shama Churn Lahiree) first encounter with his guru Babaji is narrated by Lahiri’s grandson Satya Charan Lahiree to Dr. Ashoke Kumar Chatterjee in ‘PURANA PURUSHA YOGIRAJ SRI SHAMA CHURN LAHIREE’.

On 23rd November 1868, Shama Churn received the order for his transfer to Ranikhet. Leaving his family behind, he set out for Ranikhet which is situated in the Himalayas in northern India.

One day Shama Churn, accompanied by armed guards and orderlies proceeding along the solitary hill path carrying official cash with him suddenly heard someone calling him by his name. 

“Shama Churn, come here”

The voice echoed in the mountain and reverberated in the ears of Shama Churn and he was amazed that who might call him by his name in this mountainous region filled with forests. Then he saw a Sanyasin at the top of the mountain calling his name. He proceeded towards the Sanyasin spell bound to find him bear a gentle smile on his face with fatherly affection in his eyes. 

The Sanyasin hastily came down the hill top and stood before him. The Sanyasin said, “Shama Churn, do not be afraid, I knew you would be coming by this path, I have been waiting for you. Complete your office task quickly and come to my hermitage at the top of the hill”.

Shama Churn brooded over this after his office work was done and at last decided to meet the Sanyasin. He walked along the lonely mountain path to find the hermitage after an exhaustive travel along the forest. 

Shama Churn bowed to the Sanyasin. The Sanyasin asked him, “How strange Shama Churn, can’t you recognize me? Can you recollect having come here before? Can’t you recognize this tiger skin, this ascetic’s bowl also? Have you forgotten everything?”

Shama Churn failed to remember any of them and said, “I have never come here before. I cannot recognize them; they must belong to somebody else.” 

The Sanyasin stated, “Listen Shama Churn, all these are the play of illusion. It is this illusion which has made you forget all these things.”

Saying this the Sanyasin lightly touched Shama Churn. An electric current traversed throughout his body. The whole universe evanescence from Shama Churn. This caused him to recollect his previous life of Sadhana and understood the great Sanyasin as his Guru in his previous birth. With tearful eyes, Shama Churn prostrated at the feet of the Sanyasin for he now retrieved the nearest one of all his births and rebirths.

The Sanyasin continued, “You have practiced yoga Sadhana in your previous birth here. I have preserved your things with utmost care. Your life ended here and you were born as Gourmohan’s son and since then I have been observing all your aspects. I have arranged for your transfer here to impart initiation into yoga to you. I have been waiting for you here since last 40 years.”

After this the great Sanyasin initiated him into Kriyayoga. Shama Churn attained the state of non-dynamism and became engrossed in Samadhi. A golden era of yoga culture in India commenced the very moment Shama Churn’s initiation into yoga occurred and this initiation roused His latent spiritual faculties and powers. 

A painting of Babaji

From then onward Shama Churn would daily finish his official duties early and engage Himself in the austere practice of Sadhana.

After some time Babaji informed Him that he has to leave the cave and go elsewhere as the habitat was gradually becoming crowded rendering it unfit for Sadhana-oriented habitation. To Shama Churn who wanted to leave everything and follow Babaji, he replied that he will have to remain in the family ambit as a complete householder and practice austere Sadhana.

Babaji Maharaja adorned Shama Churn with the esoteric essence of yoga Sadhana before sending him to the field of worldly action where the superficial aspect of the material world could not affect him in the least.

Since ages vexed householders have prayed to their respective deities, thus, “O God, show us such a path that will enable us to practice Sadhana by remaining within the family. Barring family life, we cannot practice Sadhana. O Bhagawan send such a guide who being a family man himself, can show the true path to householders.” 

Shama Churn descended on the earth with a noble vow. He had pledged to householders that he would show them a marvelous, skillful facile path of yoga. 

Now providence pulled Shama Churn towards the path he was destined to take.

If we just saw a moment ago how Babaji came to remind his disciple Lahiri Mahasaya of their previous bond so did Bhogar reveal to his student Babaji of his bond with Agathiyar. After spending time under the tutorship of his Guru Sidha Bhogar at Kathirgamam in Ceylon, Bhogar told Babaji to seek out Agathiyar at Pothigai Hills. Babaji left Kathirgamam for the Pothigai Hills.

Yogi S A A Ramaiah in his book BABAJI GITA, writes, 

At the end of his training, Boganathar blessed Babaji Nagaraj, "My son! I'm not your Pranayam Guru. You'll have to search and find your destined Siddha Pranayam Guru Agasthiar, who will teach you Kriya Kundalini Pranayam to attain Soruba Samadi, the goal of Tamil Siddhantha".

On arrival at Courtallam, Babaji adamantly went into penance until Agathiyar appeared in front of him and conferred on him siddhis.

Ramaiah mentions that this meeting between the Guru and the disciple took place at the site of the present day Shenbaga Devi Amman temple at Courtallam which is also the exact spot where Agathiyar appeared to initiate his disciple Maha Avatar Babaji into Kriya Kundalini Pranayam.

Babaji was then directed to Badrinath. 

SHARING THE SPACE

Ram Dass describes his moments with his guru at http://www.ramdass.org/the-way-of-the-guru-part-1/ and http://www.ramdass.org/the-way-of-the-guru-part-2/