AGATHIYAR'S "FANS"

Agathiyar at Agathiyar Vanam has a following now. Agathiyar's "Fans" have always requested to be photographed with him. Here are some photos by his fans.

Fans of Agathiyar pose with the most compassionate father after his Jayanthi and Guru Puja prayers at Agathiyar Vanam.

Nadi Guru Ramesh (3rd from left, standing) and his brother in law Nadi Guru Selvam (2nd from left) graced the function with other loyal fans, although it was raining cats and dogs that night. 

One of Agathiyar's greatest fan, Jnana Jyothi Amma with Agathiyar at the Jegathguru Sri Raghavendra Swamigal Mritiga Brindavanam at Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. Photos courtesy of Bala Chandran. 

The fan who presented the murthi of Agathiyar to the Jegathguru Sri Raghavendra Mritiga Brindavanam. 

Agathiyar at Agathiyar Vanam. Photos courtesy of Bala Chandran. 

Fans of Agathiyar pose with Agathiyar at Agathiyar Vanam. 

Even the mysterious peacock that appeared at Kallar ashram wants to share a spot on Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal's lap and a shot with Agathiyar. 

Fans of Agathiyar at Kallar.

Kallar in the earlier years.

Jnana Jyothi Amma with Kandhan Gurukal of Panchesti Temple, near Chennai. 

Agathiyar at Kalyana Theertam, Thirunelveli

Fans of Agathiyar posing with him after prayers at their home in Malaysia. Agathiyar performed a miracle when he opened his right eye in a painting of his during arati.

Agathiyar opens his right eye to bless his devotees in Malaysia

Even Lobhama did not miss the opportunity to pose beside Agathiyar at Kallar during her surprise visit some years back.

Lobhama with Agathiyar.

And off course my family and I too took the opportunity to take a couple of shots with Agathiyar, Tavayogi and Mataji just before we returned to Malaysia last October.

More fans of Agathiyar at Kallar.

Agathiyar at the Karpaga Vinayagar Temple at Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Agathiyar and other siddhas  in the caves of the Sri Siva Subramaniam cave temple at Kampong Kepayang, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

Agathiyar in the hills of Kallar.

POONDI MAHAN

Although Supramania Swami of Thiruvannamalai spoke much about Yogi Ramsuratkumar (Visiri Swami) and mysteriously brought the Yogi to chant with us he did mentioned that he had 4 other gurus. They were his own father, Jayaraman Pillai, Sathanandha Swami of Salem (author of KANDHAR GURU KAVASAM), Kollimalai Swami, and Poondi Mahan (Atru Swami) of Thiruvannamalai, 

Suryadasi Devi posted a link on fb of T.S. Sridhar's extensive article on the many visits to Poondi Mahan (Atru Swami) at http://www.indiadivine.org/news/saints-and-gurus/poondi-swamigal-the-siddha-of-south-india-r279 and at http://murugan.org/bhaktas/poondi.htm

Carlos Gil Sobera has uploaded life video footage of Poondi Mahan addressing devotees at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnGVdNoy-fw.

More information about Poondi Mahan at https://www.facebook.Scom/Poondi.Swamy and on g+ at https://plus.google.com/105184292566511138024/posts, http://www.poondiswami.com/

KR Sivakandhan has written a beautiful biography on Poondi Mahan titled SIDHARGAL THATHUVAMUM YOGA NERI MURAIKALUM published by Thirunelveli, Then India Saiva Sidhanta Nool Pathippu Kalagam Ltd, Chennai.

Watch hymns on Poondi Mahan at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx9ygiDJNxI

THE POWER OF DEVOTION PART 2

Lord Nataraja at Thirumathi Swarna Somasundaram's home in Kovai. Photo courtesy of Rightmantra Sundar

Rightmantra Sundar has posted a beautiful story that took place about 30 or 35 years back on his blog at http://rightmantra.com/?p=13888 and at http://rightmantra.com/?p=13927

Thirumathi Swarna Somasundaram of Kovai is a great devotee of Lord Shiva. She was considered a pundit in Thevaram, Thirupugazh and other Saiva Agamas. As her ancestors had been deeply involved in the Bakti marga, it was no surprise that she too should follow suite.

She used to teach Thevaram and Thirupugazh to children at her home. Her long time desire was to have a 3 feet tall murthi or idol of Lord Nataraja made and to teach in the holy presence of the Lord.

One day she went to Swamimalai to commission the murthi that she desired. Just as she arrived at the premises of one of the numerous bronze statue creators at Swamimalai, the packing or mold of a 6 feet tall bronze statue of Lord Nataraja made using the age old lost wax process, was being removed to expose the breathtaking sight of Lord Nataraja. The very first sight of the Lord sent Thirumathi Swarna Somasundaram into a state of bliss. She secretly wished that Lord Nataraja would follow her back home. Suddenly the bronze statue creator asked if she liked the statue. She kept on watching silently the statue being reveal in all its glory right before her eyes. The next moment the bronze statue creator offered her the statue mentioning that he would make another for his client in Paris, France. She politely replied that she did not have the money for such a majestic statue but humbly requested him to make her a 3 feet tall statue instead. But the man asked that she pay whatever she had at that moment and offered to collect the rests the following year.

Hence Lord Nataraja followed her to her home as she had wished for. Amazingly at the moment of arrival at her home, she received a registered mail, a telegraphic transfer of the exact amount due to the bronze statue creator! She runs towards Lord Nataraja and hugs him tightly, for having being so compassionate and loving.

A typical process of casting bronze statues using the lost wax method is shown in the following photos. Photos courtesy of the Bronze Creative Swamimalai

Agathiyar at Agathiyar Vanam (far right bottom) was beautifully crafted by Bronze Creative Swamimalai

The above miracle that took place in Thirumathi Swarna Somasundaram's life is captured by the Jeeva Nadi Guru of Chennai when he worshiped Lord Hanuman at Rana Mandalam hill temple and returned home. The Nadi guru writes in his NADI SOLLUM KATHAIGAL PART 1 as follows. After a wonderful darshan of Lord Hanuman at the Rana Mandalam hill temple and as he was about to leave, he leaves behind Rs101 at the Lord's feet. When he arrived home the next day, he had a surprise waiting for him. His mother handed him a receipt for a Money Order that she had received in his absence. On the receipt was written the Nadi guru's name, address and an amount of Rs101, the exact amount he had placed at Lord Hanuman's feet earlier; and "The Sri Rama Anjaneya Temple Rana Mandalam" written in Telugu!

Rightmantra Sundar in his blog also writes why Swamimalai comes to mind when one needs a bronze statue. At Swamimalai these bronze statues are made using age old traditional methods and according to the agamas. Not only are temple Urchava Murthis made at Swamimalai, statues made here are renowned worldwide. The lost wax method of casting these statues are a specialty here. Clay or mud from the riverbanks of Kaveri used by bronze statue creators at Swamimalai is most suitable for making the molds as it captures even the most minute details, revealing even thumb prints!

The post by Rightmantra Sundar revealed to me today the reason why Agathiyar wanted him to be made at Swamimalai too. Agathiyar in my Nadi reading, gave specific instructions to have his statue made and worshiped. Among the many conditions he laid was that he was to be made in the form he presided at Agasthiyampalli (Thirumaraikaadu), Vedaranyam; he was not to exceed 1 foot in height; he was to be made at Swamimalai; libation or abhisegam and prayers done on him at the Adhi Kumbeshwarar temple at Kumbakonam and only then shipped to Malaysia. As Agathiyar was to be in the form at Vedaranyam, I could not buy his statue off the shelf. I had to commission it. After failing to locate people who could assist me, I searched the net and e-mailed 13 manufacturers in and around Swamimalai and Kumbakonam. Through Agathiyar's grace, Varadaraj of the Bronze Creative at Swamimalai offered to have Agathiyar done as specified. Agathiyar had mentioned in the Nadi reading of 2009, that he was coming on transit to my home while awaiting the Sri Jegathguru Raghavendra Mritiga Brindavanam to be built in Ipoh. On completion of the Brindavanam and awaiting its consecration on 12.6.2013, I was unsure whether Agathiyar still wanted to move to the Brindavanam as stated earlier, as he had not delivered another reading to authorize my next move. I took it upon myself to inform the Brindavanam that as Agathiyar had not spoken I was not sending him over. Almost immediately a devotee volunteered to place Agathiyar at the Brindavanam. I was fearing if I had made the right decision and if I had been selfish in keeping Agathiyar to myself. In my last Nadi reading on 21.9.2014, after more than a year, Agathiyar to my relief, tells me that he had shelved his plan to go to the Brindavanam and instead decided to remain at Agathiyar Vanam!

Agathiyar at Agathiyar Vanam

THE COMING OF THE AGE OF SIDDHAS & MURUGAN

In my last post I wrote, "I have shared what little I came to understand from the 49 Nadi readings and revelations I was privilege to have in this blog." I ended the post with "I figure my worship of Agathiyar is complete. I await humbly and patiently for his next instruction." Agathiyar has been worshiped as a yantra, mantra and in the form of a murthi. The next step would be to worship Agathiyar in the form of Jyothi. 

Today (21.9.2014) I was called for another reading, my fiftieth. Agathiyar most graciously talks about this blog, worship of the Siddhas, the coming of the age of Siddhas & Lord Murugan and the significance of worshiping Lord Murugan. I share the reading with you.

HOLD MY HANDS

Agathiyar and the Siddhas started me off on a magical and magnificent journey by willing to provide a Nadi reading. Through the Nadi, they told me about karma, something I used to hear but never gave much thought to it, and its consequences. They revealed my past so that I will have a better understanding of karma and come to accept this birth and the reasons to be born again.

The Siddhas created an avenue for me to seek out my very first guru, Supramania Swami of Thiruvannamalai. Supramania Swami ignited the flame of devotion in me initially, that was picked up by the family too. Supramania Swami has since gone into samadhi.

Then we were handed over to Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal, who till this day has been keeping a watchful eye over us.  Tavayogi had reminded me that it was not enough that I came into the path but it was important to bring the family too. True to Agathiyar's Nadi revelation and as Tavayogi had wished, the family and friends eventually come into the path too. After coming into the fold of the Siddhas, Agathiyar and Tavayogi have been molding me and my family ever so subtly, teaching us and showing us how to live a life devoid of karma, the reason we take birth. I have shared what little I came to understand from the 49 Nadi readings and revelations I was privilege to have in this blog.

It was a wonderful journey of discovery into the mystery of life, simplified and told through the Nadi revelations. Along the way Tavayogi too taught us much, not through long discourses but by practically showing us how to live a life of virtue and values. Along the way the Siddhas educated and kept reminding me on the far reaching consequences of my thoughts, speech and actions often unrealized by us and lost from memory. But the Siddhas remind us that all these images are permanently etched out and retained in places only known to the Siddhas. The bad deeds come back to haunt us as our karma, disease, illness, sorrow, misery and as obstacles while the good deeds we do become merits that is accumulated to balance or offset these bad karma.

Dr Krishnan, friend, astrologer and a Siddha practitioner passed me a yantra of Agathiyar to worship promising me it would invoke the presence of Agathiyar, when I told him I was asked to worship the Siddhas in the very first Nadi reading in 2002. True to his words Agathiyar came into our homes and into our hearts.

Tavayogi on one of his visits to Malaysia, by demonstrating to us various asanas and breathing techniques, passes on a heritage to cherish as confirmed in a later Nadi reading of mine and also that of my nephew. 

In January of 2010, Agathiyar came into our homes as a bronze idol. He directed us to make an image of him as he was in Agasthiyampalli, in Vedaranyam (Thirumarai Kaadu) and offer libation and prayers. I consider it an honor to have Agathiyar in this particular thava nilai (intense meditation) as revealed in the Nadi.

After rigidly holding their hands and walking their path, Agathiyar decides to gift us and share his Moola Mantra through my 40th Nadi reading of 19.4.2011. Agathiyar lists out the benefits gained by chanting this mantra. Here is the translation of the portion of the Nadi related to this revelation.

For the purpose of gaining joy in the family and mankind on the whole,
I reveal a magnificent moola mantra of mine,
to be chanted daily,
Mankind will gain if chanted,
All shall gain good health and all other gains,
Victory without hurdles shall one meet,
Miracles and Joy will come your way,
Thus I reveal,

ஓம் ஸ்ரீம் ஓம் சற்குரு பதமே
சாப பாவ விமோசனம்
ரோக அகங்கார துர்விமோசனம்
சர்வ தேவ சகல சித்த ஓளி ரூபம்
சற்குருவே ஓம் அகஸ்திய கிரந்த கர்தாய நம

Aum Srim Aum Sarguru Patamay
Saaba Paaba Vimosanam
Rowga Ahungaara Durvimosanam
Sarva Deva Sagala Siddha Oli Rupam
Sarguruway Om Agasthiya Kirantha Kartaaya Nama

By chanting thus and conducting prayers,
All shall gain Bliss (Yegantha Nilai),
By chanting this mantra,
Joy (Anandha Jyothi) shall rise in all and
Grace (Arul Jhothi) shall be seen and felt.

In this mantra Agathiyar mentions his Bija mantra. He asks that we hold on tight to his feet for surrender onto his feet will rid us of curses, sins (karma), disease, and ego. Agathiyar reveals that all the Devas and Siddhas have attained the state of light by chanting Agasthiya, hence he asks that we chant his name too. And finally he says he is the embodiment of the grantha script. He asked that I shared it with all. Hence my family and I began chanting his mantra and I shared it on the net and in my writings too. Here is the mantra.

Over the years Tavayogi has on his part shared many mantras too. Tavayogi also started us conducting the homam, a smaller version of the yagam. Tavayogi himself conducts the yagam every full moon day, and an annual yagam on a majestic level in conjunction with Agathiyar's Jayanthi and Guru Puja. Tavayogi tells me the yagam is conducted for the good of mankind and nature,and to reduce the occurrence and frequency of natural calamities. Agathiyar too in my Nadi ask me to conduct the homam for the benefit of mankind. I realized it was an honor to be given an opportunity to serve mankind indirectly. This revelation by Agathiyar mooted us even further to involve completely in the ritual and has been sustaining us all these years. 

Last October, when my family and I visited Tavayogi and Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyaar at their ashram, the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham in Kallar, we were blessed to receive the patharatchai or "holy sandals" of Agathiyar, specially made from the stala vriksham at Kallar, the nuna tree that had fell in a storm just days before our arrival. We consider it an honor to receive a treasured belonging from our guru to be worshiped in our home. When I passed the existing sandals I had been worshiping to Suren Selvaratnam, Agathiyar reveals in Suren's Jeeva Nadi reading at Kallar that he had come into his (Suren's) home in the form of the sandal. This revelation was for me too, to cherish the sandals I had received too.

I figure my worship of Agathiyar is complete. I await humbly and patiently for his next instruction.