FAITH VS KARMIC CLEANSING

Mrs Rakhi Chaturvedi wrote in her views and feelings on "FAITH VS KARMIC CLEANSING." It is a beautiful perspective on karma, parihara and the reasons for temple worship.

I used to think normally that since we are honest devotees of God and have unshakable faith in Guru, since we have not done anything wrong intentionally or knowingly in the present birth …nothing with us can go wrong or nothing should go wrong…knowing very well that the short span of a less than 100 years given in the current birth along with its allotted karma to dissolve is the consequence of more than 100 births we have taken in the past. 

A judicious mix of both good and bad is the result of what we are today. The current birth karma works as our protection and helps us in receiving grace. When my husband faced a sudden job loss a year back we believed…Agasthya Maharishi will take care.

It has been more than a year now and the benevolent master is taking care of us but we realized that the mess of karma which we might have created in current life or in one of our previous lives needed to me cleaned by us only. We made a list of parihars suggested by Agasthya Rishi with utmost devotion and completed them ……my little human mind assumed that as soon as our parihars will get over my husband will receive an offer letter. But when a year got past I prayed to Agashya Rishi come what may… my faith must remain intact. 

It is very easy to loose hope when things get tough but siddhas are loving beyond measure. I was thinking what is the point in visiting the temples and the parihars when we are not getting the “DESIRED RESULT.” The desired result was another problem which makes us restless. What we desire for us and what God desires for us can be different. When our desires overtake us we tend to overlook certain guidance. 

We were advised by Maharishi in the Jeeva Nadi reading which we took in Chennai a year back to focus on our own business of consultancy to which we paid less attention as our minds were fogged by our desires. 

When I visited Thavayogi a year back in 2016, his first instruction was “Always remember life is a roller coaster. It will have both ups and downs. Learn to enjoy the ride.” When I asked Thavayogi about the importance of parihars he said visiting temples will charge your batteries to face life… to face karma. He never said that you will be spared for the karmic mess you have created. 

I have always felt an outpouring of energy whenever I visited temples of south India. I was thinking were they really the places to worship, pray and seek the solution or were they actually vortexes of energy which charge our batteries.

I got my answer through Jaggi Vasudev ji of Isha Yoga Foundation, in his words:

Today, everybody is a believer. Every street has at least three temples. God is everywhere. People have one dozen gods in their houses but still there is fear in their hearts, isn’t it? God is in your house but you have fear in your heart. Does it really make any sense? Now people have become God-fearing also. This is simply because there is no living experience. It is just a belief. 

I don’t know how many hundreds of gods we have in India, but still look at the pathetic state in which people are living. Somehow all these gods are not able to lift them up. This is not about gods, this is just people’s own foolishness. They have never aspired for the Divine. All their aspirations are just for comfort, for wealth, for power, for pleasure, never for the Ultimate, and they think God is a tool to help them achieve all these things.

The Science of Temple-Building 

In the Indian culture there is no particular belief that God is sitting somewhere and doing something. At least it was not so a few centuries ago. In India, temples were not created for worship. Only over a period of time, in the last six or seven centuries, they have become the way they are now. Temple-building is a very deep science. The parikrama, the garbagriha, the size and shape of the idol, the mudra that the idol holds and the mantras that are used to consecrate this -- if these are properly matched, a powerful vortex of energy can be created. A very positive energy is created. It is a system, a mechanism that you are creating. When I say temple, I am talking about the ancient temples. The modern temples are built just the way you build shopping complexes.

This is a way of recharging yourself with very positive vibrations of life so that you go out into the world with a very different perspective. 

The temple was not created as a place of God or a place of prayer. No one was ever allowed to lead a prayer. It was created as a place of energy where everyone could go and make use of.

Our perspective about life changed a lot when we visited temples of south. We felt charged and refreshed but of course those visits have given us wisdom and strength.

STREET FEEDING

Our samaritans took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur to distribute food parcels prepared and packed by Sri Krishna's family this afternoon. With Shanga at the wheel, Dr Jana, Arul and another volunteer joined Sri Krishna in this noble mission.

THE POWER OF STEADFAST WORSHIP

When I saw my Nadi the first time, Agathiyar told me to recite Lord Ganesha's Moola Mantra besides worshiping Lord Shiva, the Siddhas and him. I did as told.

Later when Agathiyar came in the form of a bronze idol, I worshiped Agathiyar as Lord Ganesha during his Chaturthi days, decorating him in his form. I did that for all the religious occasions seeing all the Gods, Goddesses and Deities as Agathiyar. Soon he revealed in the Nadi that that was the truth and I had done right.

As Tavayogi, Mataji and me and my family came down the steps of the Nattadreeswarar Temple near Erode, Tavayogi turned around to me and said Agathiyar and Siva are one.

Later Agathiyar tells me that he is in the prapanjam and that the prapanjam is in him.

When devotees wanted to bring his idol over to their homes and temples for puja, I obliged them. Then one day Agathiyar told me not to take him anywhere anymore. "Let them come to me" he said.

When Jnana Jhotiamma spent three days at AVM in 2013 and 2014, she mentioned that she saw Siddhas coming over. To confirm his presence here, he chose to open his eyes during libation or abhisegam. That photo snap has gone viral and has made its rounds in all medias and mediums. He confirmed this miracle in the Nadi later.

A long time devotee of Agathiyar was told to print and distribute this photo to all, and the rests of the world, in a Nadi reading some time back.  Not having any idea of what Agathiyar had asked of him, he mentioned it casually to Sri Krishna. Krishna who was with AVM immediately showed him the photo in his handphone. 

Soon we saw deities making their presence and paying their respects to him. Later he mentioned these too in the Nadi.

He has now asked us to celebrate his Jayanthi, big time, on 4th January 2018 as a fest.

How is it a mere metal has become an object of admiration for many? 

When I took up his directive to worship him; seeking information on the Siddhas from various quarters; visiting centres that were run using his name; and having failed miserably in getting information and knowledge, and positive assistance and help, I settled to go alone, praying that he would lead me personally. True enough he told me to have his statue commissioned, made and brought over. He instructed us to give life to the idol through chanting his name some 100,000 times. I gathered family and friends but we only managed a count of 45,000 that took us 2 hours to complete. But the most understanding and compassionate father accepted our efforts. He soon came to settle in this image. He asked that we light an oil lamp and put forth our wishes, desires and prayers and he shall look into it. Many have seen results while some have been told to be patient and wait a little longer.

As I was basking in the bliss that me and my family derived from his worship, many masters who were pioneers of many years, having ventured into spiritualism much much earlier, confronted me and ridiculed me for my worship of an idol, quoting the songs and sayings of great masters and Siddhas.

A head of an ashram quoted several verses from Siddhar Sivavakiyar's songs condemning rituals and idol worship. I told him it was not my desire but a directive from Agathiyar to worship him in the form, shape and size that he had clearly stipulated and defined too. He refused to listen and went on and on. I finally told him that I needed that as I was new to the path, my fifth year, and that he might not need it for he had thirty odd years behind him and some thirty students with him.

When another master began preaching asking devotees to come out of temple worship during their talks at the temples, I advised him against it saying that we were very much steeped into temple worship for it was also an identity for us just as the language is in a multi racial society. These were the two very eyes of us, that once removed will erase us too. This fact was surprisingly made by a monk of a spiritual establishment that was very much into Yoga and Jnana. 

When a priest quizzed a family for placing their altar in the living room, he failed to find out the reason for the family to do so first. As the elders found it difficult to climb the stairs they decided to bring the altar down. Many families do not have the luxury to house the altar in a separate room too.  

They fail to analyze the situation and conditions if they were favorable and fail to advise appropriately on the needs of the moment.

The bronze idol of Agathiyar at AVM has become alive today, with years of worship and libation done. That bronze statue opened its eyes and startled us and the rests of the world. That bronze image has granted many devotees wishes. So is it with the rests of the statues in the temples. We at AVM had never dictated or encouraged devotees to gather weekly as is done elsewhere, but rather prefer that they carry out these prayers in their homes bringing their family into the worship too. 

Today I realize many tend to assume the other as less devoted or less religious. Now tell me what or who would you use as a yardstick to measure the state of advancement in spiritualism? Most probably and possibly they compare with themselves. Isn't that being egoist then?

God experience is gained by dissolving in it. That's why saints have sang anubhutis, personal spiritual experiences of delight, joy and bliss that breaks spontaneously in the form of words from their lips at that very instant and spur of the moment of contact with Erai.

Why do we need to put another devotee down or expect him to change his way of worship, when even we are not sure if we are already there, if we have reached the ultimate. Ramalinga Adigal mentions 16 stages of spiritual experiences and notes that there are still higher stages that he himself hesitates to express.

Various states of the soul.	The 16 stages and above of spiritual experiences.	Experiences (Nilai).	Stages.	Paths.
Human beings leading a mundane life without even a thought of its transient nature.	1. Jeeva Sakiram. Normal wakefulness.		1st stage.
	2. Jeeva Sorpanam. Normal dreaming.		2nd stage.
	3. Jeeva Suluthi. Normal ignorance.		3rd stage.
Spiritualist aware of momentary nature of life; conscious of the world and external objects; enjoys gross things.	4. Sutha Sakiram. Perfect wakefulness. 1st state of the soul.		1st stage.	Sariyai.
Seeking to see the Lord and feels inseparable; untiring search for God; enjoys subtle things.	5. Sutha Sorpanam. Perfect dream. 2nd state of the soul.		2nd stage.	Kriyai.
Only God; neither dreams nor desires; soul temporarily one with Brahman enjoys bliss.	6. Sudha Suluthi. Perfect ignorance or sound sleep or dreamless state. 3rd state of the soul.		3rd stage.	Yogam.
Lust & veil covering the soul for generations are shed one after the other; soul cleanse by Arutperunjhoti; spontaneous impulse of love for God; absolute union with Brahman.	7. Sudha Turiyam. Perfect experience. Supra-mental awareness. 4th stage of the soul.	Supreme grace. Arul Oliyal.	4th stage.	Shiva Jnana Nilai.
	8. Para Sakiram. Higher wakefulness.
Enjoys grace of Lord and ecstasy.	9. Para Sorpanam. Higher dream. Supra mental dream.
Shackles removed by Arutperunjhoti; heavenly experiences. Above this stage, God is un-manifested.	10. Para Suluthi. Higher ignorance. Supra mental unknowing.		1st stage.	1st divine path. Sithantham. Sutha Sithantham.
Tasting God; glory of Arutperunjhoti; self-realization on the soul as an atom brilliant as the sun; soul charged with divine grace; aspirant realizes the greatness of God grace and his smallness; self-realization or Atma Tarisanam.	11. Para Turiyam. Atma Tarisanam. Supra-mental perfection.	Ananda Nilai.	2nd stage.	2nd divine path. Vethantham. Sutha Vethantham.
Perceive God in the form of light; soul is saturated with compassion & love; experience of divine life (Uyir Anubhavam); attains purified body or golden body (Sutha Degam); the extent of achievement is dependent on the grace of Arutperunjhoti; sees divinity in all creatures; sees God in the form the aspirant is ready to receive; enjoys supreme grace (Arul Anubhavam); higher stages are heavenly stages and beyond human perception where the mind fails to conceive and all senses cease to function; Uyir Anubavam in Sudha Degam; transformation to pure body; love incarnate; universality of love in all fellow beings; oneness in life; sees the divine in all life forms; sees smallness of one and greatness of God; spontaneous flow of God in him.	12. Guru Sakiram or Shiva Sakiram.		3rd stage.	3rd divine path. Sutha Nathantham.
Descent of divinity in the individual.	13. Guru Sorpanam or Shiva Sorpanam. Supreme dream.		4th stage.	4th divine path. Sutha Kalantham.
Supreme grace flows and prepares aspirant for the next stage.	14. Guru Suluthi or Shiva Suzhuthi. Supreme tranquility.		5th stage.	5th divine path. Sutha Bothantham.
Body transforms into Pranava Deham or body of grace; merges with Arutperunjhoti; deathlessness or conquest of death. Ramalinga Adigal mentions Muthuthandavar & Tathuvarayar as had attained this state.	15. Guru Turiyam or ShivaTuriyam.	Anandha Nilai. Periya Shiva Anubhavam.	6th stage.	6th divine path. Samarasa Sutha Sanmaarga.
There are still higher stages that Ramalinga Adigal hesitates to express.	16. Sudha Shiva Sakiram. Absolute supreme consciousness.
	Sudha Shiva Sorpanam.
	Sudha Shiva Suluthi.
	Sudha Shiva Turiyam.
	Sudha Shiva Turiyateetam.

(Source: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF RAMALINGA SWAMI by Dr C Srinivasan, published by Ilakkia Nilayam, Tiruchi, 1968 (Srinivasan).

We are often told the story of Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu competing to see the crown and feet of Lord Siva respectively, both failing miserably, and we are reminded too that it will be in vain.

When my wife, my children and I were admitted in the hospital for various ailments, volunteers from religious movements came along asking if they should pray for us. We allowed them for we always believed in the more the merry, the more prayers sent out the move effective the prayer would be. They should have stopped at that and moved on; but instead they stayed to distribute pamphlets and began to preach and invite us to their places of worship. At one instance I saw a group of them sharing notes and comparing statistics as to how many patients that they had managed to meet and talk to about their faith. Their motive in holding a prayer for the ill has failed for there was an intention in it - to convert another. Similarly many walk into our homes preaching their path. I ask them what or who was keeping me alive till that moment? Why should I convert now, if I am very much alive till then and speaking to them - a result of my present faith, belief and prayers.

It is not wrong to worship idols. Idol worship still leads us to the kingdom of Erai. Let us allow others to walk their path at their own pace, at their own time and not push them or hurry them along. We need not convert another to our path. Each path leads to the kingdom of Erai in due course and time. Each stage leads to another in due course and time too.  We need to understand that he/she has to gain an experience treading that path too. 

STREET FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Thondu Seivom team went to the ground to distribute buns and drinks to the hungry and homeless on the streets of Kuala Lumpur last night.

LOOKING BACK

Just as the parents and teachers show us what are the possibilities in life that we can decide on regarding the choices in our education and career, a Guru comes around at the right time to show us what the possibilities are that we could do with our life to make it more meaningful.

On meeting Tavayogi for the very first time, he welcomed me to the Siddha path, since I told him Agathiyar had asked me come into it, and immediately showed me what he was doing with his life. He showed me photos of the numerous activities he was carrying out at his ashram. He had opened my heart and mind to include and bring others into my life that day. He arranged for my initiation the same evening. He invited me to come over to India and experience the ashram life. These were options and choices that I did not know existed till then and it was shown to me.

When I visited the Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam in Ongkarakudil, Turaiyur, I was shown and was amazed at the extent of their commitment in feeding the poor. 

Agathiyar had invited me to his path some three years prior to meeting Tavayogi, when I saw the Nadi for the very first time. Once I set out to complete the parikaram he had another reading for me inviting me to his abodes, caves, hills, jungles, temples and samadhis. Tavayogi volunteered to take me along. It turned out to be a beautiful journey of discovery into the mysterious and mystical world of the Siddhas. Soon Agathiyar called me up for more readings, leading me accordingly, taking my capabilities and situation into consideration he soon brought me into conducting rituals, something that was alien to me till then. 

He had me commission his bronze statue at Swamimalai and had it flown over. He told me to chant his mantra and induce life into the piece of metal. I gathered family and friends but only managed 45,000 that day. He had asked for 100,000 chants. But he accepted whole heartedly our effort. Soon he came to stay and perform miracles. It was all new to me and my family. He brought his chosen children to AVM. With their coming we began to serve the unfortunate, distributing food parcels to the homeless, conducting medical camps and bringing life and joy besides appeasing the hunger of the starving poor. 

Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM), with Agathiyar Universal Mission (AUM) and its Pothigai Meals on Wheels programme, Thondu Seivom (TS) and Amudha Surabhi (AS) on the local front and Theydal Ulla Thenikalaai (TUT) from Chennai has come a long way over the pass years in serving people. 

The Guru has shown us a way to make our lives meaningful indeed.

TUT will carry out distribution of food in Velachery on Sunday.

https://tut-temple.blogspot.my/2017/11/avm.html#gsc.tab=0

Meanwhile TS and AS are on the streets of Kuala Lumpur tonight distributing buns and drinks to the homeless.

ANNADHANAM

Pothigai Meals on Wheels went to the streets to distribute food parcels and clothing to the homeless yesterday afternoon.

TAVAYOGI

The past month has been a trying period for all of us, with many uncertainties revolving around our beloved guru Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal's health. AVM family prayed hard for his recovery. But it was not easy. One day we were told he was fine and the next day his health was reported as deteriorating. When there was a time where I accepted the fact that we were about to lose him and was prepared to let him go, I had to console the others too, "We have to be calm at this moment in time. Let things take its course. We have prayed hard but who knows what Tavayogi's soul wanted? Who knows what's the deal between him and Agathiyar? Pray that Agathiyar is at his side taking care of all matters." 

Many from the AVM family called in pleading that he stay longer. The most compassionate father listened to our prayers. Although he put us through this brief period of anxiety and worry, he took measures to bring together wonderful souls in the light of this unexpected turn of events.

Even in these moments of anxiety, I see blessings being showered on us.

Tavayogi seeked medical attention at the right moment and was attended to immediately by a wonderful team of doctors. Mataji has been caring for Tavayogi since day one. I remember Mataji showing me her Nadi reading in Kallar in 2005. Agathiyar assigned her to take care of Tavayogi. That was her task for this birth. In return Agathiyar promised her mukthi. He must have foreseen this moment. 

Agathiyar brought Thavathiru Kumarsamy Aiya of the Agathiyar Ashram in Anuvavi, into the picture too. He visited Tavayogi and has extended help. 

Agathiyar sent Dr Subashini of Chennai, who volunteered to take a day off to meet Swamiji in Coimbatore. We began to get a clearer picture of his condition through a medical practitioner.

Eventually Tavayogi fought it out and with the grace of Agathiyar, spoke to us at AVM from his hospital bed. He is expected to return to his ashram in a couple of days. Mataji thanks everyone for helping out financially towards the cost of hospitalization and treatment and in kind too.

Tavayogi's name was mentioned in a pamplet mentioning his intent to build a temple for Agathiyar in 2002 that I received from Nadi Nool Aasan Sentilumar after I had my very first Nadi reading with him. In 2005 I saw adverts placed in the local Tamil dailies about the opening of a Peedham for Agathiyar in Malaysia. He was in Malaysia to officiate the Peedham. I met him after making an appointment. He invited me over to his ashram in Kallar. Hence began a beautiful journey on the Siddha path.

Tavayogi taught me to seek from the source directly. He pointed the way to the Siddhas and let me deal with them directly and personally without the need for a middle man or an agent. He did not enhance his position, glorify himself or make me dependent on him for all my spiritual needs. He showed me the way and let me discover the path for myself. He did not lay laws, codes or rules but instead told me that the spirit should be free to discover and learn on its own.

REVISITING THE ANCIENT ARTS

Khru Pedro was tasked to teach the ancient arts. So were Master Arunan and Master Uva. Agathiyar comes onto them and leads them on the finer points and techniques of these fabulous art of self defense and healing. Similarly Acharya Gurudasan teaches Kriya Hatha Yoga, with the blessings of the divine masters, that cares for the body, soul and mind. Let us revisit these masters and their teachings.