MARRIAGE & THE SIDDHAS

Besides the idea and aim in uniting two people in marriage to carry on the progeny; raise up children of their own; grow in experiencing their role from that of an individual to that of taking care of a life-mate and later their offspring; taking on the new role of a husband or wife; and later that of a father or mother, PV Jagadisa Ayyar in his book "South Indian Customs", Asian Educational Services, New Delhi, 1985, reminds us of one more rather forgotten aspect of marriage - that the observances of religious rites develops spirituality in the observers.

Marriage is of a sacred and spiritual significance,

... that of the definite aim of performing religious rites in company with his wife or (her husband) for the spiritual evolution of both. In fact a wife is said to be a Saha Dharma Charini which means the lady who performs the duty enjoined in company with her husband. 

We are used to the idiom that "Marriages are made in heaven". We are told that all actions here are already executed in the higher planes. Similarly all discoveries made here are already available in the higher realms.

Jayaram V summarizes the concept of marriage beautifully at https://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/h_marriage.asp

According to Hinduism, marriage (vivaha) between two persons is a sacred relationship that is not limited to this life alone. It extends across seven or more lives, during which the couple help each other progress spiritually.

The adage that marriages are made in heaven is very much true in case of Hinduism. Two souls come together and marry because their karmas are intertwined and they have to resolve many things together upon earth in order to ensure their mutual salvation.

The relationship between a couple is essentially a relationship of the souls. It is not necessary that their gender roles are fixed for ever. Some times they may switch roles and the husband may become the wife and the wife the husband. Sometimes they may also temporarily part their ways and come together again after one or two lives in a grand reunion.

The Siddhas never shun marriage. Although they were immersed in austerities and worship, research and discovery, immersed in meditation and solitude, they took on a wife as an aid towards their combined religious and spiritual accomplishments.

In the book on Kavyakantha Vasistha Ganapati Muni entitled "Nayana, A Biography of Kavyakantha Vasistha Ganapati Muni (from the original Telugu texts by Gunturu Lakshmikantam), Dr G Krishna mentions that Ganapati Muni had described his wife as a Tapa Sakhi, meaning comrade in Tapas just as Arundhati was the Tapa Sakhi of Vasistha and so were the wives of many of the Rishis.

They never considered their wives as hindrances to Tapas.

Ganapati Muni advised that women should not be barred from any spiritual or religious chores when it was prevalent at that time that women were not considered fit to worship Agni, study the Vedas and recite Vedic Mantra and were denied the benefits of Upayana. Ganapati Muni himself used to initiate women into Mantra Japa. Many were the women who were initiated into Gayathri Vidhya, which was considered exclusive to men. Visalakshi, wife of Ganapati Muni took to the worship of Agni whenever Ganapati Muni was out of station. 

Visalakshi paid equal attention to house-keeping and Mantra Upasana. Ganapati did not share the belief that a woman was the source of sin and Maya. The study of scriptures had convinced him that the ancient rishis had practiced austerity and attained self-realization without giving up family life and responsibilities. Women were not treated as objects of pleasure by our ancient rishis. They were as qualified as men to discharge spiritual responsibilities. The ancient rishis by their exemplary behavior became spiritual preceptors to their wives and helped to establish a well ordered society.

Looking towards Ramakrishna's life, we are shown that husband and wife can live together as spiritual companions.

By his marriage Sri Ramakrishna admitted the great value of marriage in man's spiritual evolution, and by adhering to his monastic vows he demonstrated the imperative necessity of self-control, purity, and continence, in the realization of God. By this unique spiritual relationship with his wife he proved that husband and wife can live together as spiritual companions. Thus his life is a synthesis of the ways of life of the householder and the monk. (Source: http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/gospel/introduction/relation_with_wife.htm)

Shri Ramkrishna turned his mind to the fulfillment of imparting religious and spiritual teachings to her. About the experience of this period Sarada Devi used to say afterwards: “ I felt as if a vessel full of divine bliss was permanently installed in my heart...I can not adequately describe the heavenly joy which filled my heart...!” (Source: https://www.speakingtree.in/blog/the-story-of-a-holy-wife)

Just like Ganapathi Muni and Ramakrishna, Lahari Mahasaya too was a householder. Lahiri Mahasaya’s wife Ma Kashi Moni shares the moment when she realized her husband as a realized soul.

It was years before I came to realize the divine stature of my husband. One night, in this very room, I had a vivid dream. Glorious angels floated in unimaginable grace above me. So realistic was the sight that I awoke at once; the room was strangely enveloped in dazzling light. My husband, in lotus posture, was levitated in the center of the room, surrounded by angels who were worshiping him with the supplicating dignity of palm-folded hands. Astonished beyond measure, I was convinced that I was still dreaming.

“Woman,” Lahiri Mahasaya said, “you are not dreaming. Forsake your sleep forever and forever.” As he slowly descended to the floor, I prostrated myself at his feet.

“Master,” I cried, “again and again I bow before you! Will you pardon me for having considered you as my husband? I die with shame to realize that I have remained asleep in ignorance by the side of one who is divinely awakened. From this night, you are no longer my husband, but my guru. Will you accept my insignificant self as your disciple?”

The master touched me gently. “Sacred soul, arise. You are accepted.”

He motioned toward the angels. “Please bow in turn to each of these holy saints.”

When I had finished my humble genuflections, the angelic voices sounded together, like a chorus from an ancient scripture.

“Consort of the Divine One, thou art blessed. We salute thee.” They bowed at my feet and lo! their refulgent forms vanished. The room darkened.

My guru asked me to receive initiation into Kriya Yoga.

“Of course,” I responded. “I am sorry not to have had its blessing earlier in my life.”

“The time was not ripe.” Lahiri Mahasaya smiled consolingly. “Much of your karma I have silently helped you to work out. Now you are willing and ready.”

He touched my forehead. Masses of whirling light appeared; the radiance gradually formed itself into the opal-blue spiritual eye, ringed in gold and centered with a white pentagonal star.

“Penetrate your consciousness through the star into the kingdom of the Infinite.” My guru’s voice had a new note, soft like distant music.

Vision after vision broke as oceanic surf on the shores of my soul. The panoramic spheres finally melted in a sea of bliss. I lost myself in ever-surging blessedness. When I returned hours later to awareness of this world, the master gave me the technique of Kriya Yoga.

(Source: https://www.lahiri-mahasaya.org)

The exchange of garlands in a marriage is a ceremonious representation of bestowing a portion of their spiritual force to their life partner. PV Jagadisa Ayyar writes,

This is the main end and aim to attain which all the subsequent rites (in a marriage and beyond) are observed to be continued thereafter day after day till perfection in evolution is attained in both taking many births even if need be as husband and wife.

When I met Tavayogi the first time, he asked to bring my wife along to his talk that evening. He told me it was not enough that I came to the marga but I need to bring my family too. He mentioned the same too that I needed to bring my wife and children on this journey of evolution of the soul, feeding it with experiences. As the soul grows, the spirit grows in luminosity too, from a mere spark to a gigantic flame that eventually envelopes the self, merging with the source. This is what several nayanmars achieved bringing their wives and kin to merge in the flame or jhoti in the inner sanctum of Erai's abode. The young Gnanasambandhar took the hand of his wife in marriage and led all those who had gathered to witness their marriage into the Jhoti and merged with it at Nallur.

Agathiyar tells me that my wife and I were husband and wife in the last birth. Many of the couples in AVM family were married to each other were lovers in their past lives too. PV Jagadisa Ayyar reiterates,

In the plan laid down by the wise men of old that two souls drawn together by love and sincere do not part till both reach the level at the same time. This idea is conveyed in the Hindu marriage ceremonials and the Hindu marriage itself is considered a sacrament and not a contract.

This is how Agathiyar has brought numerous families to his worship. When my friend picked up a conversation with a girl waiting to have her Nadi reading, she told him she could hear her name mentioned to her male friend who was having a reading then in the closed room. When the boy was chatting with my friend he said a similar thing about his name mentioned in the girl's Nadi. They came as friends but left as a couple brought together in marriage.

When I told the priests, who himself looked like Agathiyar, that I did not match the horoscopes of my daughter and son-in-law to see if they were compatible as they had chosen each other, the priests told me three things. If the couple had liked each other there was no need to see the horoscopes, that itself was mana porutam or compatibility of the hearts; when two people come together in marriage it is the work of their combined karma or a karmic connection and it is fated. Finally he told me leave it to Erai to lead them on in their lives. His words brought me assurance.

PV Jagadisa Ayyar concludes on the marriage,

The final function is what is known as Asirvatham or blessing of the bridal pair. 

The priests who invoked the gods to come down and be present, to be a witness in this Holy matrimony between two souls, then requests them to bestow their blessings on the newly weds, himself transmitting the blessings to the couple, after which family, relatives and friends shall bestow their blessings for a good life. Marriage is a new beginning for a couple where the bride takes the grooms hand in the presence of kin and friends. Besides the families and friends, all the divine beings of the other world or plane, gods and goddesses, the lineage of gurus and their ancestors gather together for this momentous moment in time. Tavayogi who graced my daughter's wedding told me later that all the Siddhas had come to bless our kids too. Later Agathiyar and Lord Muruga in their Nadi reading tells the newly wed that the Siddhas were witness to their marriage.

When a friend from Bangalore had too many obstacles in finding a right partner, I suggested he do a homa in his home daily, asking Erai to give him the boon of bestowing a right wife for him. He did as told and found results. They are married today.

Once married, the newly married couple and their family circle would look towards the couple begetting a child. Prayers are channeled towards Erai for a child to be born to them. Above and beyond our prayers, the Siddhas too are praying for a family in which these elevated souls could take birth and carry on Erai's mission or pani. These children then bring Erai's message.

The uniqueness in us is that we show our appreciation towards Erai by bringing him to live among us, giving him a place in our homes and hearts, bringing him to join our festivities and creating festivals, almost daily for him and celebrating them. There is a religious festival where the marriage of the gods is enacted out at the temples with the local community taking sides, either that of the bride or the groom. Erai is indeed deeply rooted in all our customs and traditions, faith and beliefs. This is a show of appreciation for the one who created us, who helps sustain us and eventually leads us back to his abode.

TAANAMUM TAVAMUM

Coming to the Siddhas I came to know about karma. I come to know why I was here and where I was heading. Rather than let us sweat it out trying to figure a way out of the mess that we had brought upon ourselves, the most compassionate Agathiyar gave us a clue, a means, a way and a solution. He gave us atonements or remedies (Parikaram) to carry out. We took heed of it. Changes took place in good time. They gave us hope, provided we had faith and belief in their words and executed their directives.

Lama Surya Das writes in his "Awakening the Buddha Within", Bantam Books, 1997,

Buddhist teachings reveal that negative karma does have one positive facet or aspect. It can be repaired.

That is the magic word that we all hoped for. 

He continues,

This makes everything workable. We can in fact expiate our negative actions through acknowledging and confessing to our conscience our misdeeds with sincere repentance and regret. By vowing not to do such evil again, by saving lives, protecting creatures and so forth, Buddhist practitioners learn to purify and transform bad karma and actually exhaust its impact eventually becoming free of it and liberated from such consequences.

He shares the Buddha's message on karma.

In the dharma there is no eternal hell. Nothing is eternal. Everything changes. When karma is expiated it is exhausted and then even the worst sinners can move onward and upward.

Lama Surya Das says although our deeds are the seeds of our future destiny, if one repents, atones and makes reparations by living his life differently, changes take place. He has a solution for us based on the ancients, 

It is said that four actions have to take place first to initiate the full effect of negative karma: The act has to be done intentionally; the act has to be accomplished; the act is not regretted or repented for and finally the act is not atoned for.

When all these four conditions are present it contributes to the full weight or impact of the karmic result. The full effects are then reaped. Without all four, there is a possibility to transform it, much easily. Regret and repentance alone lifts the karmic burden.

Just as Agathiyar mentions two distinctive ways to uplift oneself, through Taanam or charity and Tavam (all forms of worship, austerities and meditation), Lama Surya Das too points out to two merits that one needs to accumulate. 

In order to reach enlightenment and nirvana, we must accumulate two kinds of merits: Merits from virtuous action and those that comes from wisdom, insight, understanding and awareness.

Finally Lama Surya Das summarizes it beautifully, 

When we transform our lives, we ourselves become transformed. It is a spiritual rebirth in this very life. We don't have to wait for an afterlife of some kind. This is how we can usher in the kingdom of heaven in this world, in our homes and community. We need not wait.

Charity and service seemed to have a rippling effect on the home-front. We at ATM (AVM) learnt to give following in the footsteps of Sri Krishna and Sri Dewy of Pothihai Tharma Chakram (PTC). Thedal Ulla Thenikal (TUT) from Chennai took the cue from us. Shanga, Arul, Tanajayan, Dr Janar, Vevagaran and many others joined PTC, seeking out the deserted ones and handed out meals. Persatuan Teman Setia (PTS) came to assist them. Besides coming together to purchase, prepare, and distribute food parcels to the hungry, these wonderful souls started involving their families too to do this act of dharmam or charity. Bala Chandran brought his entire family in. They carry out this monthly event at a home for the mentally and physically challenged. They take to the streets too to distribute buns and drinks. Stan and Vinthamaray brought their family members to identify deserving families and distribute groceries too besides feeding the homeless. The Rajah family do their part in their vicinity besides joining the main team. Soon individuals from PTS and PTC began cooking and distributing food to the unfortunate too, doing their bit in bringing cheer to the forgotten few. Suren never fails to do his bit when traveling overseas. Gunalan gives handouts to children in the homes. Arul and Dr Janar too have begun to cook, pack and distribute food at other times, besides the scheduled days of conducting the soup kitchen. These individuals and wonderful souls have proved that we do not need numbers or an organization to do good deeds, an individual can bring change to the lives of others! Bravo, Syabas to all the members of this family.

COUNT THY BLESSINGS

The Siddhas are in our world as much as they are in theirs. There is only a very fine line separating both. Just as it took Esakhi Siddhar to pass through a tiny crack in the wall back to his world; and just as it took me a few steps walking away from Palani Andavar Sannadhi and turning a corner that brought me to the plane of theirs were Bhogar rests in Samadhi, a place quite different from what is told; their world seems pretty close and approximate to ours, almost running on parallel planes.

As Michael Palin wrote in his "Himalaya", The Book People Ltd, St Helens, 2004, "The India-Myanmar border slices right down the middle of the chief's hut, so he can walk between the two countries without ever leaving home", so it seems with the Siddhas.

The Siddhas have been known to be in existence since time immemorial but it is only recently that those of faith have come to see them moving among them and interact with them. The time is right I suppose for their manifestation to take place. When I strongly believed that Ramalinga Adigal came too soon for his time, where people were not ready for his teachings, a line from a movie taught me otherwise. In this scene from the movie "A Wrinkle in Time", where Dr. Kate Murry confronts her husband Dr. Alexander Murry saying that he had made a mistake in disclosing his findings too soon to the scientific world that only laughed at his theory.

Dr. Kate Murry: "You were impatient. You couldn't follow the plan. Couldn't you see it in their eyes? It was written all over their faces. They weren't ready. They're not..."

Dr. Alexander Murry: "Kate, they're not ready, so what are we supposed to do? We're supposed to wait until they catch up with us? We are on the precipice of something spectacular!"

(Source: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=a-wrinkle-in-time)

If Ramalinga Adigal comes now he will do justice to his cause. We are blessed to learn that Jeganatha Swamigal who took up the teachings of Ramalinga Adigal, chose to spend his last days in Malaya had a disciple for Chitramuthu Adigal. Chitramuthu Adigal was soon to be Tavayogi's guru. We are blessed to be Tavayogi's students.

We are blessed to have come this far on this journey, blessed to hold on to the feet of the Siddhas to guide us further through this stormy life that robs our senses towards all the goodness that life has to offer and on the other hand the internal yearning of the soul that knows pretty well that all these was superficial just as a mirage in the desert sands. Here is where we need to thread carefully, balancing between both worlds. It is a miracle that we have come this far as Mrs. Which, another character from "A Wrinkle in Time" points out the significance of each birth taken to Margaret Murry O'Keefe, the main character in the movie.

Mrs. Which: "Do you realize... how many events and choices... that had to occur since the birth of the universe... leading to the making of you... just exactly the way you are?

Just as Margaret admits, "I guess I never really thought about that" so have each one of us, barely giving a thought to the greatest gifts given by Erai - Birth! Life! and the Present! The birth that was our asking; Life that was given by Erai; and the Present Moment to be cherished and lived well.

As the character Dr. Alexander Murry says, we are indeed on the precipice of something spectacular!

DWELLING INTO THE UNKNOWN

If P.Karthigayan in his "History of Medical and Spiritual Sciences of Siddhas of Tamil Nadu", Notion Press, 2016, explains that the soul is the bridge between the spirit and the body, 

The body is composed of physical and spiritual matters sandwiched by a bridging factor known as soul. Body is a functional machine driven by spirit operated through the components in the bridging network of soul. (https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2018/10/spirit-soul-various-bodies.html) 

BKS Iyengar in his "Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali", HarparsCollins Publishers India, 1993, explains the difference between the soul and the individual self. He gives a simple metaphor. If the soul is the granite statue of Erai that sits in the inner sanctum of the temple, the self is the bronze statue that is taken around the temple grounds as a representative of the permanent statue.

If the unifying factor between the spirit and the body is the soul, the unifying factor between the soul and the body are the layers or sheaths namely beginning with the physical body itself, the Annamaya kosam, next the physiological sheath or Pranamaya kosam, traveling further in we meet the mental sheath or Manomaya kosam, and going further within we meet the intellectual sheath or Vijnanamaya kosam before finally encountering the pure blissful sheath or Anadhamaya kosam. BKS Iyengar says these sheaths represent the five elements of nature: earth, water, fire, air and ether. He throws in another sheath, the Mahat or cosmic consciousness in its individual form as citta; and the inner soul as the seventh sheath.

The anatomical sheath or the gross body is known as the kariya sariram; the physiological, mental and intellectual sheaths form the subtle body or suksma sariram. The blissful sheath is called the causal body or karana sariram.  

Everything is in a state of expansion. Science says that the universe is growing and expanding. Mark A Garlick writes in his "The Expanding Universe", Dorling Kindersley, London 2002, "Astronomers know that the Universe is expanding and that the expansion is speeding up." 

He gives three possibilities to the end of the universe: "Either the universe will go on expanding forever; or it will one day reverse and start to collapse; or it will oscillate between expansion and contraction forever."  

Myths too says Erai grows as told in the story of Brahma and Vishnu vying to reach the crown and feet of Shiva respectively. 

The physical body grows when fed. The soul too expands according to P.Karthigayan, gaining new experience each day. The spark of spirit is fanned into a majestic flame with daily devotion and through the show of love as revealed by the mystics and Siddhas. Nothing seizes to stop growing or changing. 

Pandit Gopi Krishna in his book "Kundalini - Path to Higher Consciousness", Orient Paperbacks, 1976,  speaks of  "the existence of a subtle life element prana."

"The existence of a subtle life element prana, the cosmic life energy and its subtle biological conductor in the body which pervades each cell of every tissue and fluid, that sustains the activity of the brain and nervous system. The prana has a biological component in the brain, an extremely fine biochemical essence of a highly delicate and volatile nature extracted by the nerves, generating a subtle radiation."

Studying the yoga systems he says that "living bodies owe their existence to prana, an extremely subtle immaterial substance pervading the universe which is the cause of all organic phenomena controlling the organisms by means of the nervous system and the brain, manifesting itself as the vital energy."

He adds that "normally the work of extraction of prana to feed the brain is done by a limited group of nerves, but with the awakening of Kundalini, other and more extensive groups of nerves are stirred to activity, leading to the transmission of an enormous and enhanced supply of a more concentrated form of pranic radiation into the brain drawn, from a vastly increased area of the body."

Pandit Gopi Krishna who "had aroused this physic energy in his life" speaks about the result of that sudden outburst one day after putting in years of meditation, his first encounter with the serpent energy where "he had his first glimpse into the super conscious state and saw fabulous Kundalini in action." He felt himself slipping out of the body.

I felt the point of consciousness that was myself growing wider and wider, spreading outward while the body, appeared to have receded into the distance. I became all consciousness.

I was no longer myself or to be more accurate no longer as I knew myself to be a small point of awareness confined in a body, but instead was a vast circle of consciousness in which the body was but a point.

He explains,

There had been an expansion of his own self, my own consciousness and the transformation had been brought about by the vital current that had started from below the spine and found access to my brain through the backbone.

He reminds us that raising the Kundalini is not for the faint-hearted. 

Considering the colossal nature of the physical and mental metamorphosis that has to be effected as a prelude to spiritual unfoldment, I do not wonder at the accompanying trials and tribulations since the mystic state represents the last and most arduous lap of the journey which began with mans ascent from dust, it terminates with his tasting, after suffering and travail the incomparable bliss of unembodied existance, not after death but within his span of life on earth.

He states that the ancients considered Kundalini as "the queen of the nervous system, controlling all the thousand of nadis or nerves in the body and for the same reason have designated her as Adhara Shakti on which depends the existence of the body and the universe, microcosm and macrocosm."

The Pandit clarifies that oxygen is not prana but rather a vehicle for prana to travel and transverse throughout the body.

The air we breathe is permeated with prana and this vital current flows through us along with the air we breath. Breath and prana are not identical. Prana utilises oxygen as the main vehicle for its activity.

Prana is an inseparable part of the cosmic energy or Shakti. Shakti when applied to inorganic matter is force and when to the organic plane, is life. In yoga parlance prana is life and life is prana. Life and vitality in the sense used here do not mean soul or the spark of the divine in man. Prana is merely the life energy by which divinity brings into existence the organic kingdom and acts on the organic structure as it creates and acts on the universe by means of physical energy.

He says the earth has its own supply of prana, pervading every atom and molecule. Similarly the sun constantly sends out "an enormous supply of pranic radiation on earth." The moon too is a big supplier of prana for earth, and so are all the other planets and stars, all inexhaustible stores of prana.

Walking bare foot and grounding oneself with Mother Earth, gives abundance prana. Moving into the sunshine provides additional prana. Taking long dips in rivers, lakes, seas and other sources of water, even in our bathtubs and during showers, increases prana. Rapidly inhaling and exhaling brings more prana within that can be felt expanding to the verge of the body bursting and rupturing. Sitting in front of an open fire provides more prana. A walk in the open through the woods or green meadows, energizes us thanks to the prana. 

Similarly with continuous devotion the spirit expands to fill the entire body engulfing in flame of love.

MIRACLES, MIRACLES & MORE MIRACLES

I came back from my maiden pilgrimage to India, mooted by Agathiyar in my very first Nadi reading to perform remedies in several temples, very elevated and in a state of bliss. Then he asked me to come to the worship of Siddhas too, opening a whole new mysterious world and realm that has been in existence since time immemorial that we just had not seen till then. He promised to let me have a peek into their space by delivering miracles during my travels. That is just what he did. Deliver Miracles!

I came back and documented my journey and the miracles that took place on my website Indian Heartbeat. I shifted to blogging later but continued to post the miracles that took place just as Agathiyar had revealed would continue in my home ground.

https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2013/09/miracles.html
https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2013/09/miracles-2.html
https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2018/10/a-miraculous-journey.html
https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2018/10/faith-belief-brings-forth-miracles.html
https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2018/10/journeying-with-agathiyar-miracles-do.html

https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2018/06/miracles.html

https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2018/07/on-songs-prayers-miracles.html

The first post that went up on 28th July 2013 https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2013/07/welcome-to-sidha-heartbeat-home-of.html was about the numerous spectacles Agathiyar did to bring us to his fold.

Here we will showcase all about the ever evasive, mysterious and incomprehensible higher intelligence known as Siddhas in the hope that along the way we get to comprehend their workings too. Let me start this blog by posting several photographs taken of the miracles performed by the Siddhas. Come join me and step into the mysterious and mystical world of the Siddhas.

After 1822 posts we can safely vouch that miracles do take place if you chose to see it. The mystical realm of the Siddhas and their mysterious workings has still remained a mystery and puzzle to us but they never fail to amaze us.

How do you explain miracles? What is a miracle? 

It is defined as,

An extraordinary and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore attributed to a divine agency. Such an event may be attributed to a supernatural being (especially a deity), magic, a miracle worker, a saint, or a religious leader.

Informally, the word miracle is often used to characterize any beneficial event that is statistically unlikely but not contrary to the laws of nature, such as surviving a natural disaster, or simply a "wonderful" occurrence, regardless of likelihood, such as a birth. Other such miracles might be: survival of an illness diagnosed as terminal, escaping a life-threatening situation or 'beating the odds'. Some coincidences may be seen as miracles.

A true miracle would, by definition, be a non-natural phenomenon, leading many rational and scientific thinkers to dismiss them as physically impossible (that is, requiring violation of established laws of physics within their domain of validity) or impossible to confirm by their nature (because all possible physical mechanisms can never be ruled out). Theologians typically say that, with divine providence, God regularly works through nature yet, as a creator, is free to work without, above, or against it as well.

Pandit Gopi Krishna has made an observation in his book, "Kundalini - Path to Higher Consciousness", Orient Paperbacks, 1976, and explains the reason too.

The curative and other powers exercised by prophets, seers, mystics and saints never went beyond the sphere of individual application and it was left for men of genius who brought vision to the aid of intellect to devise universally efficacious remedies for scourges like smallpox and to make other discoveries in the physical realm, a task which was neither accomplished by nor fell in the province of prophets and visionaries. (Pg 181)

Just as the Siddhas ventured to find a solution to overcome death, just as Buddha ventured out of his palace to seek the reasons for sufferings, many good souls and as Gopi says, men of genius, sacrificed their life to find ways and means to bring cheer into the lives of others through their knowledge, reasoning, findings, discoveries, experience and expertise in their own fields. These souls will be seen as divine and seen as god walking the earth by the people who benefited from their knowledge and wisdom.

When my daughter broke her tibia and fibula bones in her leg after a car rammed into her while riding pillion, the doctor at the emergency ward suggested cast immobilization where they wrap her leg in a cast and let nature heal her in due course which he said given her age, should be in three months.

A plaster or fiberglass cast is the most common type of fracture treatment, because most broken bones can heal successfully once they have been re-positioned and a cast has been applied to keep the broken ends in proper position while they heal. Source: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/fractures-broken-bones/

But due to our insistence that she needed to attend and complete her internship the doctor agreed to do external fixation so that she could begin walking sooner than the three months required if she was in cast.

In this type of operation, metal pins or screws are placed into the broken bone above and below the fracture site. The pins or screws are connected to a metal bar outside the skin. This device is a stabilizing frame that holds the bones in the proper position while they heal. Source: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/fractures-broken-bones/

The next day at the wards a senior doctor who came on his rounds took us to task for requesting the procedure and reverted the decision to allow her to heal naturally. Good counsel and sound advice prevailed that day. There was a choice if I wanted the traditional plaster cast which was heavy or thanks to technology and new findings, the lighter fiberglass material. I chose the fiberglass cast.

But after four months there was yet no new bone growth as unfortunately she fell in the category of the five percent of patients where there is non union.

The doctor now had to make the decision to perform Open Reduction and Internal Fixation. He showed and briefed us on the procedure.

During this operation, the bone fragments are first re-positioned in their normal alignment, and then held together with special screws or by attaching metal plates to the outer surface of the bone. 

Just as we thought that we had no other option but to operate on her and place a titanium plate, something we prayed we did not want to see happen, the doctor brings up another option. "Would you like to try something else but it will cost you?", he asked. It was a simple procedure where "autologous platelet-rich-plasma from a small sample of her blood is induced into her the point of injury, prompting healing effects caused by growth factors released from the platelets." We were told that it had been tried out successfully in the United States for patients who came in with sport injuries. This news brought us joy and hope. The doctor was willing to do the procedure but we have to pay to have the machine that segregates and separates the components of blood brought in. We took up this option, happy that she would not have to undergo surgery.

After the first injection, miraculously there was new bone growth as the doctor showed and explained to us from her x-ray. It brought us extreme joy. After the third injection spread our a few days, there was a remarkable amount of new growth. This brought further joy. She was cast and sent home to recover. After nine months since she met with the accident, she could walk as usual and went back to complete her internship.

The doctors did their part with utmost dedication, treating her carefully, trying to avoid an operation at all cost, preferring to wait for mother nature to work her wonders. But when there was no positive development, they began to take other appropriate measures and options. 

We on our part prayed that she should respond well to the treatment and that she should begin to walk without any form of deformity in her legs. My daughter began writing Dhanvantari's mantra in a note daily. An aunt of hers brought back the sacred prasad, sesame oil used during libation or abhisegam on Lord Dhanvantri from his temple in Chennai, to be applied externally. Agathiyar too assured us in the Nadi that he was there for her and had asked us to refrain from being tempted to seek other forms of alternative treatment, but rather to continue treatment in the government hospital. He assured us that there would not be any major surgery but instead only a minor procedure.

Agathiyar through the right people advised us rightly and with the aid of modern medical discoveries and procedures performed a miracle.  Our prayers were answered. We are indebted to the doctors who spend their live time in dedicating their heart and soul trying their best to save the thousands of patients who end up sick or immobilized.

To all those who brought relief and joy to others through their innovations and discoveries, bringing technology and their ideas together to come up with means of relieving the pain and suffering of others, to all those who spent their lifetime researching and finding new ways and approaches to heal the sick, we thank them from the bottom of our heart.

If that was a medical miracle, how do we explain Agathiyar opening eyes in his granite stone at Agasthiyampalli and Papanasam? He did these to convince me to stay on his path. Sincere devotion over the years made him open his eyes again in his bronze statue at AVM. The strength of devotion brought Agathiyar to open his eyes at AVM creating another devotional miracle.

Another miracle was when Agathiyar read the Nadi for my wife without the need of giving the thumb print and other birth details to locate her Nadi. Agathiyar blessed her with a reading! That day I found out that exceptions are made if the divine favors us. She has been consistently preparing for the weekly Thursday prayers, conducting and cleaning up after that since Agathiyar came as the bronze statue in 2010. Besides that prayers are also done on Pornami, Amavasai and other auspicious days for the entire pantheon of deities. Off course the annual Guru Puja for Agathiyar is held too in a big way.

Agathiyar created further spectacles that mesmerized us: The column of light that followed Jnana Jhotiamma at Kalyana Theertam; Lord Muruga coming as a child and healing her aching feet as she climbed down his hill at Palani; the stories we heard of how Lord Muruga used to come and tease Krishnaveni Amma at Kalyana Theertam; how Tavayogi received a piece of bread at Sathuragiri from a stranger that revived him and made it possible for him to continue his climb; how food was brought to Tavayogi who was dying of hunger pangs by a couple during his days of wandering; and how Anjaneya and Anjalai came along and led Asokhan who had lost his way, to complete his journey in the Sabari hills.

https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-miracle-at-nattadreeswarar-temple.html
https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2013/11/miracles-at-tiruvannamalai.html
https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2013/11/more-miracles.html
https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2014/04/miracle-at-kallar-ashram.html
https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2017/07/amazing-mysteries-in-life.html
https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2017/07/amazing-mysteries-in-life_1.html

The numerous tales and miracles that the late Hanumathdasan shared in magazines, and published as the "Nadi Sollum Kathaigal" and later adapted for the blog Siththan Arul by Velayudham Karthigeyan Aiya were all eye openers to the existence of Siddhas and their abilities and capabilities and the wide possibilities that were out there which could bring change to one's life.

https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2013/08/tales-from-jeeva-nadi-this-series-of.html
https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2013/08/further-revelations-from-siththan-arul.html
https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2013/08/further-revelations-from-siththan-arul_11.html
https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2013/08/more-revelations-from-siththan-arul.html

And of course the greatest miracle is that of birth.
https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2017/08/the-miracle-of-birth.html

THE BLISS OF ARUTPA

Sethu, a colleague of mine introduced me to Ramalinga Adigal the very first time by passing me a couple of cassettes containing some songs of the saint. I immediately fell in love with Adigal and his songs.

As he had only passed a couple of cassettes from a collection, I looked for the rests of the collection at numerous music outlets. I found his collection at a music outlet in Leboh Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. I purchased all that they carried. It was sheer bliss listening to Adigal's songs set to music.

These were the days before the internet became available to the public where our only source of music was listening to the radio - praying that they would air our favorite songs, and off course the music outlets - again praying that they would bring these titles in.

Having being captivated and losing my soul to the devotional outpourings of Ramalinga Adigal upon listening to the songs from the cassettes I purchased, I headed next to the handful of books stores dealing with Tamil books in Kuala Lumpur. I found the complete works of Ramalinga Adigal at Manonmany. It was in two volumes and was compiled by Ooran Adigal. I purchased them in 1998.

I was blessed to get these books autographed by its publisher Ooran Adigal, when he arrived with Tavayogi and others to the First Conference of Siddha Philosophy held in Kuala Lumpur in 2007.

This edition published by the Samarasa Sanmarga Araichi Nilaiyam, Vadalur, 1972 carried the saints works arranged in chronological order.

With the coming of the internet and its availability and access to all, it opened us up to almost all of the music made and available. 

http://www.thiruarutpa.org/ served to shared Adigal's works, teachings and songs. The effort of Dharmalinga Swamigal and his team in bringing together a vast collection of Adigal's songs, composing, singing and recording them, and making them available online was a divine gift for us. 

Through this massive and costly effort of theirs today we get to enjoy every bit of Adigal's divine experience put in words and that has come to be known as the Arutpa.

Agathiyar revealed that the one act that excels all other supreme acts of dharmam is to stay faithful and show the path of the Guru to others. This act of dharmam will bring salvation to many in this birth and the births to come.

The wonderful venture of these souls to bring Ramalinga Adigal's songs to the masses is indeed a great act of dharmam. Thank you very much.

DEFEATING DEATH

People ask me how I spend my time since I am retired now. I divide my time between watching Agathiyar grow in strength and watching my granddaughter grow up too. She entertains us with her laughter and brings joy in play. Her gibberish talks livens up our lives. Her entry and presence livens up the home and functions. Every gesture she makes, makes me ponder and think about childhood and its innocence. Her inquisitive nature is quite testing though. There is a saying that the child and God are one, “Kuzhandaiyum deivamum gunathal ondru” that translated would mean “Children by virtue of their character are equivalent to God.” I see that in her.

Henry Wei surprised me by mentioning the same in his book “The Guiding Light of Lao Tzu”, Synergy Books International. He writes that both Lao Tzu and Jesus consider reversion to the state of a child as necessary for salvation for entrance into the kingdom of heaven. In the eyes of Lao Tzu, “the infant with its pristine purity and innocence is the perfect symbol of Tao itself.”

He goes on to say that one needs to bring tenderness in him or in other words the need to relax. This reminded me of Lord Muruga’s recent directive, telling me to relax, layback and watch the world go by, only to move if required. This message was coincidently posted by Srinatha Raghavan on fb too.

Relax the Body, Energise the Nerves (Nadis), Then the Mind too will retire, That's Meditation.

Old age brings us to live in the moment, literally take one step at a time. Hence the reason why all systems begin to slow down naturally. But the Siddhas never did give in to old age, working on ways and means to retain the physical body in top form. They also discovered that the soul that took up the body needed to be retained in the vessel and together with the spirit of Erai, could live forever, defeating death and ending the cycle of death and rebirth. Understanding this, the search was on for the Elixir or Amirdham that prolonged longevity. They found a way to remain immortal. The physical body that is made of perishable matter was replaced by cosmic matter through a transformation known as Kaya Siddhi. If living an ascetic life with practice of Ashtaanga Yoga that we saw in the former post could bring spiritual immortality, the Siddhas strived to go a step further in retaining the physical body with the soul and the spirit within it intact, hence achieving physical immortality too; bringing us from Vedantam to Siddhantam.  

Immortality is when the soul is retained in the body forever with the spirit. The Siddhas regarded the body and world as real, investigating and researching into many sectors, bringing their findings to the forum of Siddhas and documenting it for the benefit of mankind. Immortality was one of it.

The Siddhas who knew of an anti-aging therapy, the ancient rejuvenation practice of Kaya Kalpa, took the elixir or karpam and regained youthfulness. Through the secret science of immortality, they keep their body intact without having it go through the process of aging. They attain immortality with the physical body still intact. They live forever as Siranjeevi, defeating death; hence putting a full stop to future birth. As P.Karthigayan wrote, they broke the cycle of death and birth by avoiding the causes of death, hence stopping death in its track and thus preventing a recurrence of birth. 

Recent saints too merged with Erai in their physical form or transformed it for the purpose of this merger. Manikavasagar describes how Erai came with his entourage and brought him to his fold upon hearing him plead for Paramukthi, gaining Siddhi with the body intact. He prayed that Erai take him to his abode with the physical body intact. He brought Erai within so that the physical body need not perish and merged with Tillai Ambalar still retaining his body.

The young Thirugnanasambandhar took the hands of his wife in marriage and led all those who came to witness his marriage into the Jhoti and merged with it at Nallur. Similarly the elder Thirunavukarasar held on to the feet of Erai and burst into combustion, and merged with Erai at Thirupugalur, just as the camphor burns and vanishes into thin air.

Sundarar mounted an elephant that was sent by Lord Shiva while his friend Cheraman Perumal followed closely behind on a horse at Thiruvanjai. Both reached Erai's kingdom in the physical form.

Ramalinga Adigal transformed his body to merge with Erai and all of creation.

Crossing over to the other side of the continent into China, we have similar tales of great men who left for the other world with their physical body still intact. 

In “The Guiding Light of Lao Tzu”, Henry Wei, speaks about the philosopher Huai Nan Tzu who discovered the elixir of immortality and after taking it ascended to heaven in broad daylight. In the course of his accent he dropped the vessel containing the elixir. His dogs and chicken lapping the elixir joined him in heaven.

Henry Wei writes that a recluse Wei Po-Yang believed that "man could attain immortality by reforming his personality and sublimating his vital force" and "he set forth the method by which the ancient saints and sages attained the status of Hsien or immortals or spiritual beings.

"The method he set forth involves repose in quiescence and desireless-ness, withdrawal of the light inward, stopping up the openings of the senses, and preservation of the vital force – all for the purpose of developing an inner pearl, symbol for some spiritual entity. If this method is diligently followed for three years accompanied by the practice of breath control the inner pearl will emerge.. Eventually the spiritual entity will ascend to heaven and take its place among the divine beings."

Henry writes about another saint,

"Lu Tungpin or Lu Tzu practiced yoga and meditation in a cave and eventually was ferried over by his guru Chung-li Chuan to the transcendental sphere."

In "Babaji and the 18 Siddha Kriya Yoga Tradition", Kriya Yoga Publications, Quebec, Canada, 1991, M.Govindan writes that Kalanginathar left for China to teach. Later, Bhogar who was initiated by him, was summoned to China to take over his mission. Bhogar was taught the preparation and use of the Kaya Kalpa to promote longevity. Taking three of his best disciples along with his dog, to a mountain top, he gave the Kaya Kalpa to his dog first. It dropped dead. He offered it to Yu, one of his disciples, who dropped death too. He offered it to the other two who hid it. Bhogar took the remaining portion and fell unconscious. The other two took flight. Later they found a note written by Bhogar: "The Kaya Kalpa worked. I restored the dog and Yu. You have missed your chance for immortality."

Govindan writes, to facilitate teaching the Chinese, Bhogar transmigrated into the body of a deceased Chinese man, and went by the name Bo Yang. He adds "This Kaya Kalpa enabled Bhogar to transformed his body, that of a Chinese, to a lustrous golden color, surviving 12,000 years."

Govindan quotes Yogi SAA Ramaiah’s translation of Bhogar Jnana Sutra 8, verse 4, where Bhogar says after taking the Kaya Kalpa he lived in the land of the parangis or foreigners for 12,000 years surviving on the vital ojas vindhu that turned the body gold in color. 

A similar story is told of Wei Boyang at http://hidden-elements.com/articles/2018/2/8/great-alchemists-wei-boyang

The most famous episode from his life involves himself, two disciples, and a dog. It goes that Boyang had finally refined an elixir-pill so powerful that whoever consumed it would achieve the Tao in their body, rather than just in their minds, and thus become a perfected celestial immortal instantly...

Bhogar alias Bo Yang came to be known as Lao-Tzu states Govindan. It is mentioned that Bhogar met Confucius too. On his return to India with Yu who was now known as Pulipani, he was stopped by the gate keeper at the Han Ku pass. Lao-Tzu conveyed his teachings to him upon his requests. 

Just as Govindan observes that, "Taoist yoga traditions continue to seek physical immortality using techniques remarkably similar to those taught in Indian Yoga Siddhantha", it is interesting to note that both Indian and Chinese adepts worked on the “air” to better benefit and attain immortality. 

The method of spiritual cultivation taught in these Chinese works is based on a main feature that of special techniques of breath circulation and control. The process is not only intricate and delicate but also has to be carried out for several years. Moreover it needs smooth and correct operation from beginning to end. A little mistake even at an advanced stage can prove disastrous. No mortal therefore could reasonably be expected to achieve success in it entirely by his efforts. So just as Christians recognize there is a limit to human effort and rely on Holy grace for their ultimate salvation, the Taoists rely on some spiritual being or Hsien to ferry them over to the other shore. Every Taoist master acknowledged that he had been guided and helped by a Hsien and after he had become a Hsien himself he in turn offered help and guidance to the qualified aspirants. 

Similarly, Tavayogi told us that our effort was only till two stages Muladhara and Swadistana. After that the Siddhas would lift us up. Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar says that the Siddhas will move our breath.

P.Karthigayan in his book "History of Medical and Spiritual Sciences of Siddhas of Tamil Nadu", Notion Press, 2016, summarizes the works of the Siddhas.

Siddhas like Siva, Nandhi, Subramaniyar, Thirumoolar, and Kaalaangi showed special interest in health, longevity and immortality. Agathiyar had shown special interest in body concepts: his explanation of body functions, ailment symptoms, and surgical details were quite amazing. Bogar had showed special interest in physics and exploiting natural resources for the benefit of mankind. Chattaimuni had shown special interest in alchemy and succeeded in turning base metal into highest touch gold. Konganar had shown special interst in making the fabulous multi-functional magic beads, probably the smallest air carrier that can baffle scientists of aviation. Karuvorar had shown special interest in metal castings added to alchemy and presented the unique idol of Nataraja sculpture. Jothimuni researched and perfected precious stones. Idaikadar researched the cosmos and predicted their effects during each year. Sivavakiyar shunned irrational and superstitious beliefs and attacked the society with his rational questions and helped in the formation of an intellectually elite society.

Elsewhere in an article "Siddha Agasthya – Foremost of the Siddhas", Dr. Mandayam shares more information from a Tamil manuscript written on Nadi or palm leaves about 3,000 years ago, titled "Prapancha Kaandam". I have given a summary of it.

Lord Dhakshinamurthi revived the knowledge of the Vedas and instructed the Siddhas to propagate this knowledge at the appropriate manner and time for the benefit of humanity. 

The Siddhas recorded their knowledge on palm leaves after extensive discussions held in Alagan Kulam and presented them to Lord Dhakshinamurthi for his perusal. This included the 64 kinds of learning, 18 Puranas, 96 tatvas, and 48 branches of scientific knowledge. The entire literature in Tamil came to be called “Siddhavedam”. It was then translated into the four existing languages of that period which was Sanskrit, Greek, Hebrew, and Chinese. 

A conference of Siddhas called Siddhar Sabai was held at Courtalam. An institution known as Siddhar Gnana Koodam was inaugurated by Lord Murugan and was headed by Agathiyar. Bhogar from China (Agathiyar in the Jeeva Nadi revelation to Hanumathdasan of Chennai says Bhogar was from Mongolia), Thaeraiyar from Malaya, Yugimuni from Kerala, Pulipani from Kantha Malai, Pulastyar, and Kapiyar all served Agathiyar. Pulastyar and Kapiyar headed the literary section while Pulipani in research. Thaeraiyar who was into surgery headed a medical research centre established at Thorana Malai. Yugimuni who was into herbal medicines headed an ayurvedic hospital at Paradesi Kundai. Bhogar who was in charge of all scientific researches established an alchemy research centre at Tiruparankundram. Pambatti was heading a team researching venom at Marudamalai. After having established these institutions Agathiyar again started on an extensive mission of propagating the wealth of knowledge gained by these Siddhas in Tibet, Manchuria, Egypt, Palestine, Rome, America, Africa, Malaya and the Arab world. 

After satisfactorily completing their mission of propagating the said teachings the Siddhas went into samadhi merging themselves into the cosmos. Supramaniar went into samadhi in Thorana Malai, Bhogar in Palani, Thaeraiyar, Pulipani and Yugimuni in Kantha Malai and Agathiyar himself choose to come back to Courtalam. He chose a spot called Dhashina Meru in the Pothigai hills. This spot is also the abode of Dhakshinamurthi. 

THE SAINTLY WORKS

Ramalinga Adigal wrote and sang volumes of inspiring hymns on the many forms of the Divine, his spiritual journey, the upheavals he went through and the showering of blessings along the way, the efforts put in and the results of his worship. Short of being an autobiography and a personal documentation of his life's spiritual journey these songs that were compiled in later years and published as the Tiruarutpa were full of messages on the abstract, mystyfing and mysterious divinity, its creation, and our relationship with it. His Tiruarutpa carries pages and pages of revelation of what was out there and what was possible to be achieved by us. He was living proof of it, having achieved the highest state one could possibly imagine. I purchased the last remaining set of the Tiruarutpa at Manonmany Book Centre and had it autographed by its publisher Ooran Adigal when I ushered him and showed him to his room during his stay for the First Conference of Siddha Philosophy held in Kuala Lumpur in 2007.

I cherished equally Swami Saravanananda's "Arutperunjhoti Agaval", Ramalinga Mission, Madras that was handed over to me at the bookstall at Satya Gnana Sabai, Vadalur. It was a translation of Ramalinga Adigal's "Agaval". It was a priceless book that I gifted to Jnana Jhotiamma while she was here at AVM.

I was gifted "The Autobiography of A Yogi" by Paramahansa Yogananda, that opened up a whole new world. Sekaran who presented a copy to me is now a monk at Ranchi.

The latest book that really captured my heart was P.Karthigayan's well researched book "History of Medical and Spiritual Sciences of Siddhas of Tamil Nadu", Notion Press, 2016.

I realized that in the absence of a master, the book can bring instant change in a person. As Carl Sagan wrote:

“What an astonishing thing a book is. It's a flat object made from a tree with flexible parts on which are imprinted lots of funny dark squiggles. But one glance at it and you're inside the mind of another person, maybe somebody dead for thousands of years. Across the millennia, an author is speaking clearly and silently inside your head, directly to you. Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people who never knew each other, citizens of distant epochs. Books break the shackles of time. A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic."

[Cosmos, Part 11: The Persistence of Memory (1980)]”― Carl Sagan, Cosmos

Many have been gifted with the sacred oracle or Nadi to worship initially and have come to read it to the public after many years through the mercy of the Siddhas. 

P.Karthikayan writes about Nicholas Flamel, to whom an Angel gifted a book, saying, "Look well at this book, Nicholas. At first you will understand nothing in it. Neither you nor any other man. But one day you will see in it that which no other man will be able to see." Karthikayan says that day came and Nicholas did wonders with the knowledge and one day vanished mysteriously and was not heard of again. 

The Siddhas works too are plenty but incomprehensible for they are supposedly to have a common meaning and inner meaning according to P.Karthigayan. We have seen this in the previous post on the various explanations, both the inner and common meaning, regarding just a single song of praise to Lord Ganesa.

Among the many works of the Siddhas, one stands out prominently. It is Patanjali's "Ashtaanga Yogam". P.Karthigayan explains vividly in his book how the Siddhas prepare us to move up the ladder through laying out eight components along the path. 

Iyamam and Niyamam prepare us for a new way of life, lifting us from the current thoughts and run of the mill life. Adopting an approach of nonviolence; being truthful; belief in the concept of god and a creator; preserving the body against damage; not being judgmental; taking the scriptures as a guide; metaphorically living in a state of a drop of water on a lotus leaf by carrying out ones responsibility without being attached at the same time; moving towards purification of body, soul and spirit; subduing negative emotions; and feeding and sharing with thy neighbors are all little doings that leads to purity of the soul. A man who adopts and achieves these will stand out and be unique among his fellow men. He will be a truthful person or utaman.

Iyamam is instilled by parents and teachers and can happen upon self reflection too. After perfecting his qualities, he moves to Niyamam, adopting higher virtues and qualities of godliness, learning from a mentor or guru. Inquiry into the self and the purpose of birth; being contended; learning yoga and contemplation of the divine; loving one and all; adopting the words of the scriptures and staying on the path, he fulfills this part of his spiritual development. He becomes divine by nature.

Having tuned his thoughts he now works on his body. Aasanam and Pranayamam physically prepare him to adopt a new style of living taking on a virtuous character. Perfecting his body through performing Aasanam, he then moves to perfect his inside through Pranayama. The Siddhas begin to move his breath. He now becomes a yogi, one who has perfected his breath. 

Next Prathyagaram and Tharanai shall mentally prepare him to move into a new realm of perception. When I succumbed to sciatica, Agathiyar asks me to ignore the pain teaching me practically Prathyagaram, withdrawal of senses. 

Tharanai would be replacing thousand thoughts with one. Tharanai brings one finally to settle in Agnai, the spot where silence or mounam dwells. For instance Nakkirar's song Vinayagar Thiruagaval brings us to this state. From here, one travels on to the Kesari Margam, to the cosmos and back as mentioned by P.Karthigayan. The mystical flight and inner journey to countless universes starts here.

Dyanam and Samadhi brings one to be receptive of the spirituality of oneself, the Siddhas and their wisdom. Going within and with internal worship, Dyanam on the six vital points helps one arrive at Samadhi. I was blessed to receive this initiation from Tavayogi, of looking within, visioning the chakras and invoking the deities related to the chakras and chanting the mantras of theirs. All this practices sharpen the mind and bring focus and concentration to the task on hand. 

There is a bija sound for each chakra that brings to life the particular chakra, thus amplifying it. P.Karthigayan simplifies our understanding by relating these chakras to the holes in the flute that brings different pitches and notes or sounds by the arrangement and distance apart of these holes and by way of opening and closing the holes with the fingers.

Tavayogi's "Athaara Peedam", a stone structure at his Kallar Ashram symbolizes and depicts the internal journey - externally. It is representative of the six vital spots or chakras along the spine, bringing to worship finally the lamplight at the peak, that Ramalinga Adigal symbolically left behind for us to worship.

The forerunner of Dyanam is bringing the thought to be focused on each individual part of the body, bringing the divine to that centre of focus. The numerous Kavasam like Shanmuga Kavasam and Kadar Sasti Kavasam, Vinayagar Kavasam and Bhuvaneshwari Kavasam, and many more gifted by our saints and that is generally recited, does exactly this. By bringing the divine to care for each limb and part of the body, asking that it protects, besides literally keeping illness and accidents away, brings concentration and focus to the places mentioned. The kavasam or any devotional song should not be sung hurriedly but read slowly, its meaning imbibed and taken within, as if chewing a piece of raisin, taking in the flavour, observing the texture, shape and colour. Thus is it with recitation of these songs, slowly imagining bringing Erai within. Any disparities in the elements within the body is hence rectified. The life force is strengthen and the body is revitalized. 

For a commoner, he anoints his bodily parts with the sacred ash as a religious symbol. It should not be an automatic routine but one revered as sacred, bringing mind and action together to the points. The breath then will follow the mind. Place the mind on a place, the breath follows. When the breath is brought to that place where mind concentrates, healing takes place. The life force is thus strengthened there.

Ganesa and Vallabai remove the prevalent existing blocks so that one could progress without hindrances and delays. Bringing me to the Siddhas, Agathiyar first and foremost called upon me to pray to Lord Ganesa. Although I have been praying to all the deities in the Hindu pantheon all those years, but it needed a guru to flag off my journey officially. Agathiyar had to give the directive for my passage to Siddhahood to start. It is sort of christening a new ship before its maiden journey or flagging the race to begin it. 

From Muladhara, coming to Swathisthana, creativity arises in leaps and bounds, as a result of blessings from Brahma and Saraswathi. With their blessings my desire to fill the wide gap prevalent then in the nonavailability of literature on the Siddhas was fulfilled when I compiled the songs of their praises, and began to write on my journey, and began to draw out a Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for our simple home rituals. This was the advent of a new way of life. Many aspirants came into our lives to assist us.

At Manipuragam we were able to sustain our endeavors by the grace of Thirumaal and Laxmi.

At Anagatham, we are gifted with endurance, a much needed element to travel farther on this path, by Rudra and Rudri. Rudra defeated the fear of death and other fears, and burned the past karma. A deeper understanding dawned.

At Visukthi, Maheswaran and Maheswari picked us up from the gloom and frustration that fell upon us while traveling the path. Even Yogi Ramsuratkumar professed that there were good days and bad days, days when he would be spiritually high and days when it would be gloomy without a ray of light.

At Aagnai, both Sadasivan and Manonmani granted us the fruits of yoga.

Finally we are brought to worship Erai in light form as directed, to light and worship the Aganda Deepam. He appears as light to all before proceeding and going beyond the body and the chakras to worship the state of nothingness. Supramania Swami told me he had seen the light just days before his samadhi. Tavayogi told me Agathiyar came in the form of light. The worship of higher planes takes place as Ramalinga Adigal states but mentions that words cannot describe. It is the state of "He is". "He is that".

Mounam the state of silence sets in without effort. Engrossed in a state of continuous bliss, the body goes into a state of Samadhi while the spirit attains Mukti. One attains the powers of the creator. All of cosmos becomes a teacher. He will come to know that he is one with prapanjam. He who has reached this state is a gnani. 

Would it be possible to reach this state? Only a gnani who has seen and returned, can take us to that level, take us through the path that he traveled.

DIVINE SOULS

We know of saints who have been a lighthouse for those lost at sea, the sea of suffering and misery. They brought them to the shore of Erai that quenched their thirst, healed their wounds, was a balm that soothe their hurt, gave shelter and food, and most importantly gave hope to live. While many return to their world of dreams after having their problems solved, some had enough of live and its roller coaster bombardment and opt to chose to remain with the saint learning about Erai and how to get in touch with him. 

The spiritual realm has always drawn people to it. Its many mysteries has always captivated the attention and captured the curiosity of many. While many test the depth of the waters, some just jump in. Reading the past lives of saints brings joy as we trace their path to Erai's kingdom. Similarly singing the songs left behind by them brings on joyful and blissful moments. The talk of Erai and his lilas immediately uplifts ones soul. 

If we had seen saints from India taking the leap into a portal to the other world in the likes of Manikavasar, Sambandar, Sundarar and many others in the past, in recent times a tale is told of how Esakhi Siddhar of Tiruvannamalai held on to the hands of a lad, invited him to his world. 

Both Vimalan and Suresh who had attended the Pornami puja at Kallar invited me to their hometown of Tiruvannamalai. Once there I called them over to Supramania Swami's kudil. They invited Swami and me to a Sivan temple. There they introduced me to this lad. It seems he had come upon the dilapidated temple and took up the task of cleaning it and lighting a lamp. He stayed back to become its priest and caretaker. 

Once a man appeared and after picking up a conversation, took him by the hand to the back of the Shivalingam and place his finger into a crack in the wall. Before the lad knew it the man's body had passed through the crack. What was left was the remaining portion of his lower right arm and hand that had a good hold on him. He asked if the lad wanted to follow him. The lad panicked and let go of the man's hand. The man disappeared into the crack that shown bright. Before disappearing into the gap the man managed to reveal himself as Esakhi.

Another story unfolds at Kallar Old Ashram. Tavayogi called me excitedly and told me my brother, sister-in-law and nephew had been blessed with Lord Muruga's darshan. A young lad in pants and shirt walked up the small hill on which the old ashram was perched, taking a few steps and then bringing his hands to his hips would look around and continue walking up. When he reached the top, as it was lunchtime and everyone was having their lunch, Tavayogi invited him to join. The lad replied that he had taken. The lad behaved quite strange, speaking nonsense, things that did not make any sense to those gathered there. In between this senseless talk, he would mention that he was in Kataragamam. Then he continued with the nonsensical talk. He would pause to mention Thiruchendur. He continued. He stopped to mention Palani. Then he says that he came to Kallar as he heard there were good souls there. All the places he mention were abodes of Lord Muruga. Only then did it dawn on Tavayogi that it was Lord Muruga who had came. When he showed signs of recognition, the lad hushed him and entered the Dyana Peedham. Everyone followed him. The lad blessed them and asked my brother if he wanted to follow him. Tavayogi quickly intervened saying that he would send my brother later. The lad left the way, just as he had come.

As mentioned in the site http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_2013-12-11_165654.html, 

The Chettiars were traditionally merchants and traders in precious stones but later became involved in banking and money lending activities. Their role in finance expanded with the growth of British colonial rule in Southeast Asia. Many Chettiars emigrated from India to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Burma (now Myanmar) and Malaya (now Malaysia) as the British expanded their presence in the region. 

My late father, who was a money lender both by clan and profession, took the leap too, seizing the opportunity, as new frontiers opened up, leaving his homeland for greener pastures. He traveled on foot and cart over land to do business in Rangoon in Burma; sailed to Ceylon and Singapore and finally settled in Malaya. He began his business with his peers in Ipoh and later at Market Street in Taiping. I remember the days I spent in his office at the kittangi. 

Jaime Koh describes beautifully these times from the past in the above website.

Borrowers who loaned small amounts from the Chettiars had to sign a promissory note. Those who took loans for larger amounts had to provide some form of collateral, such as jewelry or a title deed. Interest was charged on the amount borrowed and the rate of interest was listed in the promissory note.

The Chettiars generally conducted their businesses in kittangis (which means “warehouse” in Tamil), which were usually shop houses. The Chettiars would set up their offices on the ground floor of a kittangi. As Chettiars usually operated individually, each had his own safe and wooden cupboards for conducting business. A Chettiar moneylender usually sat on the floor and worked from a small wooden desk. There were also no partitions to separate the various Chettiar money lenders as they had their own designated spots for doing business.

A Chettiar’s financial training would usually start in his childhood, where he would learn the theory of banking and accounting from family members. Boys as young as nine years old were rigorously trained in mental arithmetic and even taught to do mental calculations in fractions. They would go on to serve their apprenticeship at various Chettiar firms once they reached their teens,

As mentioned, we were amazed to see the speed and accuracy with which my father used to calculate, without any external aid, all done mentally and verbally. 

The Chettiars worked and lived in the kittangi. While the ground floor of the kittangi served as their offices, the upper floors were used as residences. A caretaker took care of the kittangi while cooks provided the meals. 

Although my parents rented a home away from the kittangi, they did have a cook to prepare meals for them and the chain of visitors they had coming over. My parents were very hospitable and caring even to their employees. My father was a philanthropist in his own little way. Besides entertaining guests (virunth upasarappu) he used to give away money and things, the largest contribution being a car he was using, given away to another. Very few owned a car then. My father was one of them. The Morris Minor was a favourite then.

The Japanese Occupation (1942–1945) also brought about a steep fall in Chettiar money lending activities due to the instability of the Japanese currency and rampant inflation.

As mentioned, having purchased properties and assets, life was promising until the war came. When a string of machine gun shots from a Japanese fighter plane missed him by inches, my father realized that all his money could not have saved him. It was his charity and charitable nature that saved him that day. 

When the British came back, life picked up and he renewed his profession, continuing with his charity. The Chettiars had to allocate a percentage of their earnings to the temples that they built and upkeep. They invested in properties that brought in income for the continued sustainance of these temples. Cost to upkeep and maintain the rituals were cut down by having plots of land adjoining the temple grounds, that yielded coconuts and banana. Cows were grazed here for their milk. The Chettiars never seeked donations from outside. 

Then one day, he took a drastic decision, keeping us all in the dark. He left the family for India to seek asylum in an ashram. My father who wanted to remain in the ashram and serve the master was sent back to Malaysia to fulfill his remaining responsibilities towards his family by his guru. After returning to Malaysia, he did not return home immediately, but served as a priest in a temple in Tampoi, Johore. When he had a stroke, he was forced to return home. After seven years of absence he came back to us. I was the first one to see and greet him upon arrival just as I was the last one to see him leave for India in 1968.

I remember how he used to pick up a pencil or pen and would try to hold it in his hand and begin to write daily. He would practice and keep on practicing until he could hold and write steadily. He recovered fully from his stroke. He would keep to himself exchanging only a few words with others; hardly left the home except to go to the kittangi for news from abroad. His younger brother who was residing in Malaysia too, having married a local Chinese, and who was operating a driving school, was his constant companion.

My father’s final moments were amazing as we reflect upon it now. We guess he knew his time was up for he who always did his own chores by himself, asked and requested for certain things that final day. He surprisingly asked my mother to iron his shirt, which he wore after taking a bath. He had his lunch and waited to watch the Tamil matinee that used to be aired once a week on Thursday afternoons. When the movie ended he asked my mother to mix him his coffee something that never had happened before. He would mix a large mug of coffee by himself all these years. 

When my mother returned with the hot coffee he was not in his usual seat but was seated crossed legged on the floor in the opposite corner of the living room. His eyes were open but the pupil looked up. When my mother reached for his legs that were tugged neatly, deep and close to his body, he toppled over, his head now resting on my mothers lap. The paramedic on arrival, declared that he had passed away. We buried him. He was 76 then in 1991.

Just as Ramajayam told me that he only realized what a great saint his father Supramania Swami was only after his demise, now that I had began worship and as I come to know more about spiritual matters, I realize that my father was no ordinary soul too. I can imagine how we would react in the face of approaching death and here my father faced death calmly, taking up a spot in the corner of the home, sat in padmasana and brought his gaze up to his sahasrara chakra. He was not ill, did not surfer, did not have the fear of death, was not complaining, was not crying in pain, nor was he gasping for air. It all happened within minutes. We are grateful to Erai for making it easier to depart. 

Just like my father, those who returned back to society, returned a changed person after getting to meet these saints. Each saint would have a word of advise and guide accordingly each specific seeker.

As for the saints, coming out of long periods of tapas they turned their attention to society. It is said that Arunagiri had identified two elements that if overcome would safe us - poverty and greed - giving equal weight to both. He had envisioned a world without poverty. He believed without greed, society could advance in a positive manner. Bharathi too voiced out the disease in society. 

When I came to known Supramania Swami and Tavayogi, they were in their seventies and sixties respectively. I could not follow their spiritual journey watching the change in them, for myself except for whatever little they shared. Then came along Jnana Jhothiamma. Her journey was equally exciting. I was at an advantage because she used to Skype me initially from the USA and later from India. She would talk for hours describing in detail all that went on in her life and the changes she was going through. She would mail me too regarding these. I began to gather and document all these material and prepared a draft of her biography. 

Then she was asked to isolate herself and stop being active in the social medias by Agathiyar. The mails soon stopped too. Even I was left in the dark. Then one day I received a call from her driver saying she had been admitted into a Siddha hospital. Although she was in pain and her speech not audible at times she spoke over the phone. She was discharged soon. Then silence fell again until I received another call some time later, from her house owner, that she had collapsed in her home. She was being treated at the hospital. The next few days saw her vital signs go down and eventually she passed away. It all came as a sudden as Agathiyar had a very promising future drawn up for her. But it did not take place. What had brought the change in her destiny? What was her wish that Agathiyar had to give in and comply, that brought an end to her mortal life? She passed away on 4 April 2017.

Her fate was changed the moment she came to read this blog and made her way to Kallar ashram in 2011. Returning to USA, she would follow our puja over the internet and sing along with us. She was the one who initiated live streaming of the puja from AVM. My family and I, and all those at AVM who knew her do really miss her.