If Bala Chandran was the reason we began feeding/ distributing groceries at the children and old folks homes and Sri Krishna was the reason we went to the streets to feed, Vinthamaray and Stan were the reason we started feeding/ distributing groceries to the homes of the poor at the PPR flats.
But she tells me that it was Agathiyar who showed her the way, giving her an alternative to doing charity or dharmam locally rather than in India as originally mentioned in the Nadi. The most compassionate father changed and rectified her remedy or parikaram to suit her request when she asked that he show her another option or alternative as she could not go to India then. Agathiyar gave his message through a dream. She shares the dream and the message.
In my dream someone gave me a piece of paper carrying a beautiful hand written message. It read '8 ammavaasaikku ettagam sendru...... seithiduvai en puthalvi neeyum' and showed me a vision of a hot steaming meal of rice with curry. When I asked who gave this message... a voice said 'Agatheesan'. That moment the piece of paper started burning into a small piece of metal (only now I realize that voice called it thurumbu). This dream gave comfort to my heart.
With ammavaasai just two days ahead, I asked my relative Mr and Mrs.Shankaralingam if they knew anyone who would accept the food we are going to give. They immediately scouted around, identified and arranged for the occupants of a few houses in PPR Kampung Muhibbah to receive the food. We started by giving food for the families in 8 houses and more. I believe Agathiyar gave the menu and supported us financially too. We continued to give food even after the 8th month. We never knew there were families who put their children to bed as early as 8pm just to make them ignore their hunger pangs. Today, all our needs are fulfilled and we feel our burden removed. The parigaram Agathiyar gave in my dream worked mysteriously.
The potluck annadhanam scheduled for tomorrow evening is something very special too for it is to be held at a place designated and shown to her, this PPR flats. Let us come together and serve the poor at these flats.
Suren makes a very good correspondent for he has that charisma to ask questions, ponder and deduce an answer too. He has been the lifeline of ATM maintaining the network with the numerous other organizations that carry out the dictates of Agathiyar. He is both a spokesman and the messenger. A couple of days back Suren and I were discussing many things and Suren went into a very engaging mode bringing his thoughts out. I then asked him to put his thoughts and what we exchanged into writing. I append below his writing.
Agathiyar guides everyone who seeks him, according to their needs and desires. There are some who just accept what is given to them while others want something better. Both options are fine as it is the choice and the individuals preference.
Whatever experiences humans are having are in accordance to their karma, both current and past. When one asks or desires something, he makes a pledge to God. For some, God assures him that it will be provided, provided it is fair and does not harm others. For some God gives them a timeline - a time frame for their wishes to take place - and for others he doesn't state.
Whenever we go for a nadi reading, we get excited and are happy that God is going to grant our wishes. When time goes by, and things don't change much, we then start to question and doubt soon arises in us. Our confusion grows when we hear that another has had his wish granted quickly. That's when we question whether the world is being unfair. Some might even go to the extreme state of becoming a non believer.
Whatever we are experincing in our life is a result of our good and bad deeds that we did in the past and present. The fruits of the action is only given to humans at the right time for them to experience it. The karma deserved is implemented through the planets which influences our mind and body.
Why does the wishes of some take place quickly and for others it takes time? The person who got it quickly, might have a good amount of good merits in him, that made him to achieve it earlier and easier. But God never leaves anyone behind just because they have lesser merits. God in a way helps us to collect more merits and lessen the bad karma by asking us to do anathanam and parigaram, respectively. Somehow this rituals and practices benefits all those around us and their blessings reduces our bad karma indirectly. Once parigaram is done things will be much easier to achieve. But for some, the changes are not so progressive even after doing parigaram. It may be due to some remaining karma. Then again we might have cleared all that karma but maybe the time isn't suitable yet for it to take place.
Does that mean whatever good deeds that we have done doesn't have any good effect on us? Obviously it gives us some good changes in our life which might not be visible to our eyes but maybe just not enough yet to reach our goal. The only thing we can do in these moments is to double our efforts, put in more effort and have more faith on him. When we are more focussed on our goal, we have more reason and justification to make it happen. According to Supramania Swami, whatever good things we do, it won't go to waste.
First we have to put all of our effort. Gods job will be more visible when we have worked up to our capacity. We need to put in more effort compared to the other person who gets it easier and faster then us. Everyone is different. Everyone has a different amount of good and bad karma and the amount of effort that should be placed by each and everyone will be different. We do not need to worry because God cares for everyone and he willingly guides us to our goal if we we are willing to put in our effort. He is always there behind us motivating us to place more effort and keeping up our faith. There might be obstacles when we are trying to change the blueprint that karma has created for us. Karma will help settle the debts by providing obstacles but we have to keep on putting effort and faith on God. There will be a time when karma is loses its strength and hold hence will not block us from achieving it.
Every desire has a price that we need to pay for. The price can be either money, time or energy. We should pay the price if we really want it. For some they don't need to "earn" much to pay since they already have nearly that amount and for others they need to start from scratch to "earn" and pay up the price (The earning here refers to our good merits which were accumulated from previous births till now) When we put in our efforts to bring changes to what is written for us, that is destiny.
When our desires are more customized, the price is higher. When the price is higher, either we need to have more merits and if not, we need to put more efforts and try to earn more merits to achieve it.
Some desires involves many others and not only the person concerned. Karma of all these people also influences the time taken for something desired to happen. It is because when the desire takes place, it will be experienced by the others involved in it too.
Faith brings hope. Hope bring motivation to put effort. Effort brings results. Blessings make this transition smoother. If still there is no change, due to our devotion Erai himself will take charge on our behalf to make things happen.
Man intrigued by the huge volumes of Siddha songs and its accompanying literature that they have heard and read about takes the pursuit of these goals and comes to the path of the Siddhas wanting to know and learn about the eight siddhis, kundalini, deathlessness etc. Almost all the websites and blogs on Siddhas promote these as a fare and suggest that it is easily and readily available for all, and it comes with a price tag. Many years ago someone from India messaged me that he was willing to make me a Siddha. Another local was eager to teach me meditation. Another told me that even if I had Agathiyar and Erai as my guru, I needed a guru in the physical form and suggested that he would initiate me further. I stayed away from all of them.
A stranger who dropped by my home several years ago told me he was initiated and his chakras activated in a public park by a guru from India just minutes after introducing himself. There are far too many gurus going around giving initiations like passing goodies to children. An initiation is a sacred affair that takes place in a sacred space between the guru and the disciple. Then again the disciple should carry out what is stipulated during the initiation. Everybody wants to be a guru today trashing out mantras and techniques not knowing that he is taking on a huge responsibility towards the recipient. The recipient too in ignorance seeks out every guru who comes his way failing to understand that in the event something happens along the way of practice, would the guru be reachable? and can he untie the knot or misery and suffering? I received a mail from someone in New Delhi asking if Tavayogi could heal him. He had put into practice various techniques taught by many gurus from numerous paths and landed himself with energy blockages. Sadly after eight years, he was still in pain. Another local was suffering as a result of his practice and could not seek relief from his master as the master had turned cuckoo himself.
On the contrary, Tavayogi did not promise me the promised land. Neither did he teach yoga techniques to all. My nephew and I had to trick him into parting with his knowledge asking him to show us these asanas and pranayama. The day I met him for the first time he told me that he was doing charity back home at his Kallar Ashram and invited me over. He lighted the spark of giving in me that day. Later that evening he initiated me and my wife together with six others into a simple basic mantra of Agathiyar asking us to chant it. Nothing mystical nor did it create any immediate change in me then. Since we were asked to chant the mantra, I figured that we still needed to place some effort to attain Erai's grace and that the guru does not do wonders in us by his mere glance or touch as we have read elsewhere. The problem with us is that we read so much and come with an expectation that we too would feel those mystical experiences felt by others, thinking that it is a standard outcome upon initiations by the gurus.
But it was not to be the way with Tavayogi. He reminded me of the orthodox ways of the masters that the student would have to wait twelve years to actually receive any true teaching. Meanwhile, he did pass on a couple of mantras and techniques over the years I knew him, asking to again put them into practice. He performed the Homam and I picked it up from there. He showed us the asanas and pranayama and I picked it from there. He taught me to feed others which I continued to carry out. He showed me the way and stepped aside letting me work on my efforts in my own time and work towards earning the fruits of my efforts. There was no blueprint shown to me of the path and what to expect. Neither did he stipulate a time frame to achieve the spiritual goals as there was none. He gave me the tools and expected me to figure out how to use them wisely. He gave me total freedom to experiment neither dictating the path nor worst still breathing down my neck.
He planted a seed within me and stepped aside and watched the seed grow freely without interfering often only nurturing it with his presence or thought. Only after committing myself to the path fully did he reveal certain aspects of Agathiyar, and cleared the air about wrong conceptions and opinions regarding the Siddhas and the path. He let Agathiyar and his mantra work in us to bring changes within. He reached out for my hand, lifted me only to hand it to Agathiyar. Agathiyar held fast to my hand never to let go of it.
Tavayogi did the right thing. If he had not handed me to Agathiyar I would have been devastated when he passed away. He made sure I was not attached to him but the path and Agathiyar. When he was in pain in the final months of his departure from the mortal frame, I was prepared and could let him go. I did not shed a tear. I was not lost after his departure My spiritual practice and rituals continued. I kept doing what was taught by Tavayogi and Agathiyar. I did not seek another guru in the physical form to continue my spiritual journey or to replace him.
And so it was that when people came up to him and enquired about the eight siddhis and about raising the kundalini in their very first meeting, he would refrain from answering these queries telling them not to play with fire. Understandably, Pandit Gopi Krishna went through a tough time trying to first identify what was going on in him initially and trying to adept and bring these energies under his control later. Those who allow the divine energies to used their body to communicate with devotees are also told to take control of the circumstances.
Many questioned Tavayogi about the Siddha path and deathlessness hearing the masses talk about it and means to achieve it. But sadly all those who speak about it too fall a victim to Lord Yama, dropping their mortal frame on the ground eventually, to have maggots feed on them. Tavayogi used to tell us that these accomplishments rarely come by and warn the commoner never to mess around with it. Hence the reason he did not have a large following around him for he chose not to reveal the secrets of the Siddhas as any orthodox master would before trying the faith and sincerity of the disciple. Many came to him and left quietly seeing that they could not milk this cow.
Contrary to all these hypes surrounding the Siddhas that has become promotional gimmicks to attract the commoner, the Siddhas themselves do not bring us to indulge in these mysteries on the onset. They actually begin working on us, our habits that make our character, bringing our thoughts to include the person next to us and the society around us, teaching us to be a better person first. One has to have high virtues and morals in life before he can even dream of becoming a guru or reach the state of the divine. Rather than talk about the bodily transformation that the saints underwent in pursuing the path leading to the kingdom of Erai, the Siddhas worked to mould us into a better person, carrying high virtues and morals. They fixed our attitude, charisma, habits and characteristics first. Honesty or Satyam was of prime importance to them. Hence the reason our ancestors laid down the numerous texts that helped polish and shine this soul of ours. Here is where the saints have laid down texts for the common man to follow like the Tirukural, and Athichudi and Kondrai Venthan etc. These texts teach us to live a truthful and honest life, to do good always and constantly remind us to shun from harming another. These are the basic foundation of religious and spiritual life. Without building and working on these values, all the spiritual knowledge accumulated would go to waste if we were to ere or harm another later in life.
Carrying these virtues with us, we then can venture further. That is how Agathiyar reorders our priorities in life. That is how Agathiyar brings about and performs the transformation in us from a common man to a divine man, a master (guru), a Rishi, a Siddha, a Gandharva, a Deva and finally brings us back home to the kingdom of Erai. To assist us further the Siddhas advocate the four stages namely Sariyai, Kriyai, Yogam and Jnanam.
We come here empty but begin to fill our hearts (and stomach too) with all sorts of desires. We ape others and want what others have too. We put in the effort towards achieving it. Along the way, we drag Erai into the picture asking that he grant our desires and wishes. If things are slow to materialize or do not happen we are quick to blame Erai for not conferring us our wishes, without realizing that he is not in any way obliged to carry out our askings nor dance to our whims and fancies. It would be desirous to actually learn what he wants us to do and carry them out. Then he would be supportive of our ventures or rather his ventures.
We need to connect with Erai and find out our purpose in taking this birth and then work towards achieving it. This would suffice rather than seek to fulfil the never-ending desires that crop up every minute in us. Peace would only prevail when we begin to do his work rather than work for our individual gain.
As Ramalinga Adigal prays before Erai that Erai should instruct him what to do, let us come to the sacred temple of Erai with folded arms and bow and beg of him to tell us what to do next, rather than cherishing those wishes and desires of ours and praying that he closes the deals for us. This attitude and prayer is total surrender then.
Dr Henry Cloud shares a simple yet wonderful story of giving in his book "The Law of Happiness", Howard Books, 2011. As he walked his three-year daughter to school one day, he simply suggested that she find someone to share something with, in school that day. On picking her up from school his daughter told him she had shared some cookies she made at school with another kid. Then she told him that something had happened to her.
"Daddy, something happened. I do not know what it is," and went on to explain. "Well, when I gave Brandon the cookies, I felt something in here. Right here", saying it she began to point at her chest. "It felt really warm in here. What was that?" she asked her dad. "It feels really good. I want to do that some more. I like it." she continued. And so the Dr explains to her, the feeling that she felt when she gave was that of love for another. It made her feel nice and warm inside.
The key to happiness is in giving. You feel good when you give. Dr Henry asks "Could there be a better barometer of happiness than one's own heart?" Giving is sacrificing something we have for another. Then these act of giving has to become a way of life and not on occasions or remain an isolated gesture.
I was not a charitable person before I came to read the Nadi. Agathiyar had to nudge me into parting with my money by asking me to carry out remedies, giving gifts of money and food to others, etc. He then, through subsequent Nadi readings, spoke of the merits of giving. I listened and found ways of giving. It felt good. I needed him to give me a nudge. Tavayogi too upon me meeting him for the very first time showed me photos of the charitable activities he was doing at his ashram. He invited me over to his ashram in India. He lighted the spark of giving in me that day. My very first annadhanam was at the grounds of his Kallar ashram. It felt good. Later when Supramania Swami wanted to feed a thousand souls at Thiruvannamalai, I took up his request. Although he had left his mortal frame by the time we had the opportunity to carry out his last wish, Jnana Jhotiamma and I shared the joy of giving on his behalf.
Many who turned up at AVM's doorstep, stood at the doorway, took a peek, inquired a bit, wanted to know what we were doing, asked what was in it for them, what was there to gain from it, and left, never to come back. But the few who dared to step inside and observe and follow gave a hand and learnt a thing or two, soon saw enormous benefits and joy in staying engaged with our activities.
We have a string of events lined up for the coming month.
Upcoming Programs
*30 March PPR feeding - the regular feeding sessions in conjunction with the Jayanthi of Siddhas.
*13 April Natchathira Maalai - a show put together to showcase the talents of the ATM family members.
*19 April Siddhar Vizha - we join in the worldwide celebrations for the Siddhas.
*21 April Outing at Eco Hill - a recreational program to move all those muscles led by our Yoga masters at ATM.
For someone who is not keen on the rituals, we showed them another door that of doing charity. You have to taste to know that sugar is sweet. No amount of discussion or talk or explanation can bring you the feeling that one goes through in doing Erai's task.
One has to give out of faith first says Dr Henry. Even if it does not give a warm feeling in the heart, as the Dr says, we do it for the sake of complying with Erai's wishes for a start. On the onset one follows the word of Erai, blindly. It might hurt to give too, having to part with a day's earning and our hard earned money. Soon one starts to give out of empathy the Dr says. What was fear and respect for Erai's word slowly leads to compassion building up from within. Then he goes beyond just giving money to charitable organizations but rather goes to the ground and helps the unfortunate, giving his time, energy and resources and doing it with his heart and soul. Then one begins to look for opportunities to give by seeking out the poor and giving.
Dr Henry guides us further in giving. Make a commitment to give a certain amount regularly and allocate some time for doing charity on a regular basis. Those who are reluctant to give initially, who feel pressured to give, or give under compulsion, will come forward to give freely eventually. That is the magic of giving. But we are not to burn ourselves out in giving. The Dr reminds us that having limits does not mean we are selfish. Do not wear yourself out. Remember we need to stay on our feet to help another. Erai gave us good health so that we shall help another. Erai gave us wealth so that we assist another. Erai gave us a good education so that we share our knowledge with another.
Then if you can afford to give a bigger piece of cake, do so. Joining up forces with others to work towards giving is an effective way to help a wider range of people. It helps bring the volunteers together and bonds them, mutually motivating each other too.
Finally giving charity is giving without asking anything in return, no favours nor help in return.
Dr Janartana was first introduced to me by Mr and Mrs Balachander when they happened to cross paths at the airport. Since then the dear doctor has dropped in at AVM often. He has given much of his time in the devotion and service to Agathiyar. He has adviced us well each time we consult him for further clarifications regarding our ailments and medications.
He then took to serving fellow mankind by joining up with fellow doctors in conducting medical camps. He has pioneered several medical camps bringing us along too. Finally, he took upon himself to go down to the ground and feed the desolate and homeless too. He reminds us of Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh who served as a medical doctor in then Malaya before becoming a monk.
Besides being a medical doctor who attends to his patients, he is a multi-talented person. He has composed several musical pieces for my YouTube videos too as in the opening sequence of his interview below.
He has lent his voice to our in-house album in collaboration with Raagawave Production, Agathiyar Geetham.
Siddha Heartbeat is proud to bring his travels to India and the accompanying mystical happenings that surrounded his travels, penned in his own words.
I shall give way to him now.
I had been to South India since 2008. This trip is the 7th time I set foot in Chola Mandala Desam (Tamil Nadu) but this is my first trip to Tiruvannamalai. A trip and mystical experience that has redefined me.
I
Thana Anna had attonements to be done at Tiruvannamalai. Performing Girivalam was one of the main ones. We arrived one day earlier to the receiving of Janagiraman Sadhu from Vallalar Mission, Tiruvannamalai. He was very hospitable preparing a comfortable place to stay and warm food to eat after our long exhausting drive. Thana Anna decided to start Girivalam 4.30am the following dawn. I joined him as well.
We stayed at a homestay 100 meters away from Varuna Lingam. We planned to start Girivalam at Annamalayar Temple. At 4.30am, the roads were brightly lit and clean. The cold wind blowing at our direction, indeed a blessing from Vayu Bhagawan. The feeling of fresh air on my face, fresh smell of the trees and plants completely got myself immersed into the roots of God’s creation. Instantly I felt very far away from the cosmopolitan existence back home. I felt a strong sense of belonging here.
We couldn’t get an Auto to Annamalayar temple, hence decided to start Girivalam from Varuna Lingam shrine. We started walking, enjoying the ambience. Tea stall owners were boiling milk to start their business. Slowly one by one sadhus in slumberland by the streets started waking up to reality. Most were still attaining moksha in deep sleep on the street pavement.
We arrived at Annamalayar temple about ½ hour later. This was Thana Anna’s first trip to Tiruvannamalai in this life as well, though he was born here in his previous one. Peddlers and beggars were freshening up to start the day. They were cleaning their slate. The view of the huge Gopuram from outside left us amazed. We entered the East Gopuram (Raja Gopuram). The day was getting bright, the temple was less crowded. We first prostrated Muruga, the exact place he appeared to Arunagirinathar before walking further to visit Shiva and Amma.
We decided to follow the free darshan row since there weren’t many around. As we walked towards the row, a well dressed gentleman called upon us. He gestured to follow him instead. He was decently dressed and appeared to look like an educated man from a middle class family. I asked him where was he taking us, to which he didn’t reply. He kept gesturing us to follow him without saying a word throughout. We followed him in curiosity. He took us into the Shiva’s sannidhi. The energy was tremendous. It was peaceful. Sadhus clad in Kaavi Veshti (Saffron Dhoti) with stripes of Vibuthi over their forehead, thick malas around their neck were there seated lost in deep meditation. I wondered, could Khailash in the presence of Shiva emulate the same ambience? The image of Dakshinamurthy seated below a tree with 4 saints at his foot came to my mind. I don’t know why that image appeared, but I could certainly relate to the divine energy present there. One of the 4 saints at the foot of Dakshinamurthy is Janathanar. I don’t know if it is connected to my soul in any way.
As we walked further following the gentleman, he surprisingly brought us to the main platform before Shiva. This was way beyond the free darshan platform. Thana Anna and I were shocked. We looked at each other in awe. We both understood what we wanted to say even though no words could come out.
II
Annamalayane…!! Annamalayane….!! He was brimming with love and compassion. My heart began to melt receiving his love. My chest was getting heavy. The energy was very intense. Tears were welling up. Shiva in the form of Lingam with jothis all around was so magnetic and powerful. I wish I could just take him back home with me. I was lost. No matter how hard I try, no words could best describe the feeling standing before him. The priest was kind enough to let us both stand there and further melt our hearts with Shiva’s love and compassion. In relieve to our heavy hearts, tears kept flowing unconditionally.
We got down from the platform, I asked Thana Anna, ‘Yenna Anna nadakethe? Yeneke unnume puriyale’. ( What’s happening Anna? I cant comprehend what just happened). He answered my question with a child-like smile, less did we realise another big wave was coming in shortly.
As we walked out from Shivan’s sanidhi heading to Amma’s sannidhi, I bumped into a very saintly looking elderly gentleman. He was wearing a white jippa and white veshti. He had a deep curved spine which resulted being a hunchback. He was sitting at the corridor of Shivan’s sannidhi before the exit. There was something about him. His appearance was very compelling. I looked at him. He looked at me back. His eyes were divinely magnetic. It was sharp and penetrating. I smiled at him and he returned a very delightful smile and nod. I gestured Thana Anna to look at him. We approached him and fell at his feet. He compassionately blessed us. There is something unusual about him and his presence. My heartbeat was getting faster.
He slowly stood up and picked his cute little walking stick. It appeared to be tailor made for him. The height of the walking stick covered the short distance between his palm and the floor. ‘Yenkude vange’ (Come with me), he gently ushered us to follow him. We followed him slowly. Small baby steps. I was getting more curious about this person. So many questions started building up in my mind. Who is he? Where does he live? How could he have came into this huge temple complex without any assistance? How is he going to go back? Should we call an Auto for him? So many question started piling up in my monkey mind.
As we were walking out, we bumped into a passer by who greeted this gentleman. I looked at the passer by as he walked pass and asked him softly. 'Aiya, intha periyavar yaaru?' He said, 'Ivaru periya Sivan Adiyar. Rombe kaalama intha kovilke varuvaru.' (The elder gentleman was a staunch devotee of Shiva and he visited the temple quite often) 'Ah, appadiya. Seri aiya. Rombe nandri.' I replied. Thana Anna was looking at me restless understood my curiosity.
The gentleman paused for a moment, and said ‘Ambal sannidhike pogum munne, kovil pragaratha suthi varanum. Vange.’ (Before going to Amma’s Shrine we should circumambulate along the temple courtyard first). Lucky thing, presence of mind struck in. I wanted to capture him. I reached my pocket to grab my phone. I didn’t want to miss taking a photo of him or with him. I took few brisk steps ahead to take a snap of him. He immediately stopped walking. He said, ‘Kovil-le methuva nadakanum. Ippadi oda kudathe. Unga vegathiku naan vara mudiyathe. Neenge muthal Ambal Sannathiku ponge. Na methuva varen.’ (You shouldn’t run in temples. Walk slowly. I cant keep up to your speed.) His tone was soft, yet words were straight and sharp. Thana Anna replied, ‘llai Aiya. Naanga unga kude varom. Manichirunge.’
I kept quiet. I was getting even anxious. I wanted to know who he was so badly. His divine appearance were very compelling. I was not prepared to leave without an answer. I tried starting little conversation with him. I asked where he stayed. How does he come to the temple everyday, to which he replied silence. Not a single word or gesture from him. I didn’t push any further. We just followed him leaving him to take us where he pleased.
There is a big Mandabam (open hall) at the temple courtyard between Shiva’s sannidhi and Amma’s Sannidhi. It was a large platform with a small shrine below. We arrived there. Aiya, pointed at the mandabam and instructed us both to fall and pray. As we got on the ground, The small shrine at the base of he platform was more visible with the sign, Arunagirinathar Mandabam.
Ah, here we are… Arunagirinathaaa… You were blessed here by the ever merciful and compassionate Murugaa. You were given Nyanam (Wisdom) by HIM. Yengelayum Nyana paathaiyil kutikitte po Arunagirinathaa… Nee petra inbam, naangalum peranum. We stood up, and the gentleman was right in front pointing his walking stick to us. He started walking and we followed. He took a few steps forward and stopped. He started saying something softly. ‘Neenge Ambal Sannadhiku ponge. Na onnuke poitu varen.’ (Start walking to Amma’s shrine. I need to take a leak and will join u later). ‘Seri Aiya.’ We replied.
He started walking towards a huge tree behind the mandabam. We headed to Amma’s shrine. I took about 5 steps and suddenly I felt something wasn’t right. I wondered, how is this aiya going to manage alone. Shouldn’t we help him out, at least follow him to the nearest toilet. I immediately turned around to ask him if we can assist him.
III
I felt a strong jolt at my chest. I was speechless. I couldn’t utter anything. I was literally paralysed. My heart was racing. I looked at Thana Anna and he was stunned as I was. Aiya was missing. He was not there or anywhere visible at the open courtyard. He walked with a walking stick and coudn’t have gone faster than us. We just took 5 steps forward and turned. How could he have disappeared?
Arunagirinathaa….Arunagirinatha….It was you.. I know…. I broke down! I couldn’t take the mixed emotion of pain and pleasure any longer. Arunagirinathar appeared. I finally got my answer of who the Aiya was. Why couldn’t have you taken me along with you, Arunagirinatha!!!! You were compassionate enough to appear, what stopped you from taking me along with you?
I stood there long enough to reconfirm what happened. I couldn’t believe it. I kept thinking of other possibilities logically. Humans are constantly battling with the left logical brain and right emotional brain. Divine incidents like this are always probed by the left logical brain, literally creating more doubts rather than beautifully accepting what happen as a blessing. I was almost caught in the tug-of-war between the left and right brain, that I immediately dismissed. Compassion and love is something that we feel from inside.
We walked towards Amma, prayed to her and continued Girivalam in a state of shock. Even at this moment, penning out this incident, I re-live each and everything that happened that day. The same feeling, the tears and the yearnings..
Agathiyar has asked us to feed in all possible ways. You can feed a visitor to your home. You can feed the birds that perch on the branches in your garden. You can feed the labourers who come by your house clearing the drains or sweeping the roads. You can feed the garbage collectors. You can buy someone food while you are at an eatery. You can feed those begging on the streets. You can feed the homeless. You can feed the orphans and old folks in the care of homes. It is limitless. If you have the will then you shall have the means too.
Last week I came across a transcription of a seminar given by Sri Kumar in the Nilagiri Hills in 1996 about Agastya, Master Jupiter. ..... He is often traveling with his disciples and loves to cook and to serve. Through serving food he likes to spread himself into the people and thus to adjust any imbalances in the mental, emotional, and physical bodies.
In his spiritual activities he never treads any trodden paths, but gives new trends and directions, being full of freshness. His live is always accompanied by will, spreading be-ness and presence. He is very humorous and his teachings are very powerful, but nevertheless humorous, thus uplifting the people.
In the scriptures there is the story that once a group of disciples in the Himalaya had the questions who is the one fasting most, and Maitreya told them, “It is Agastya, he never eats.” They wanted to see Agastya and went to him. Agastya said: "Observe me for three days.”
They were very surprised to see him cooking, eating and serving. He was not missing any meal, and every meal was from our standpoint very excessive in its quantity.
After three days the group asked: "We have not understood your way of fasting.” He answered: "Insofar as you don’t feel that you are eating, it is fasting.”
He does not think he is eating. He lives in tune with the universal consciousness and in such a tune-up the food is given to all the elementals around him with himself as the channel.
And so he has set us on his footsteps, to feed the poor and hungry. Ram Dass (Love Serve Remember Foundation) was asked by his guru to feed too. "When I asked my guru to raise my kundalini, he said, "feed people." My guru Supramania Swami's last wish before his samadhi was to feed 1,000 people in Thiruvannamalai. In the revelation of the origin of the very first temple for Agathiyar in this Kali Yuga by Agathiyar to Dr. V.M.Jayapalan of Bangalore, Agathiyar who comes as a leper to cure the Asuric King Kuberan propagates the act of feeding the people. Ramalinga Adigal built the Satya Dharma Salai at Vadalur back then in 1867 where food was cooked and served to the hungry, which is being done till the present day.
"Give food, Give food. Give food", this is what Lord Krishna advises Yudhishthira in the Bhavishya Purana in his discourse on 'daanam' or the discipline of sharing.
"Yudhishthira asks Lord Krishna to enlighten him about the essence of Bhishma Pitamaha's erudite discourse on dharma in the 'santi parva' of the Mahabharata.
Lord Krishna says: "The World, both animate and inanimate, is sustained by food. The giver of food is the giver of life and indeed of everything else. Therefore, one who is desirous of well-being in this world and beyond should make special endeavors to give food. Also, food should be offered with venerable hospitality to the old, the child, and the tired traveler".
"Annadanam is performed for the redemption of sins, to attain piety, to get speedy recovery from illness and also to attain moksha. There is a Hindu belief that sins committed in previous birth follow a person in successive births – Annadanam is performed to put an end to this."
Besides seeking redemption from sins that we had done, Agathiyar tells us that by feeding another his karma is relieved too. Hence we help each other in the process of feeding another.
A child is the greatest gift one could have. Watching the child grow is the most joyous of moments in life. Watching him/her utter the first words almost drives you crazy. Watching him/her take the first step brings you to a frenzied state of extreme joy. Yes, the child brings many moments of joy to the family.
If in the past we had midwives who delivered the child, today we turn to the hospitals. Sadly we tend to complain about inconveniences, making a fuss over small discomforts at these hospitals. Watching some of the stories from across the globe brings us to a state of utter shame for complaining so much.
To be born into a family that has a roof over its head and food on the table is a gift too. Watching the stories of poverty and famine brings us to treasure the grain and appreciate the food we take. My prayer today is to thank the plant and grain for ending up on my dinner table as food and those who toiled to bring it to us.
Having an education in life is a gift too. Many around the world are deprived of this prized gift that can bring a total change to a person, his family, community and his society. Watching the children in many countries deprived of the opportunity to be educated due to poverty and war, and lose the means of bringing the much-awaited change, moves us to make good use of the given opportunity.
Landing a job that pays handsomely is a gift too. Watching the many stories of unemployment all around the globe brings us to be thankful that we shall receive a paycheck at the end of each month.
We are blessed. Be grateful. Thank you to all those in the medical profession. Thank you to all those who put up these buildings to house this equipment and patients. Thank you to all inventors and scientist. Thank you to those who toil the lands and bring us food. Thank you to all those who manufacture food and drinks and clothes that keep us warm. Finally, thank you, Lord for looking over our shoulders constantly.
I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=587&v=KigXe6RIczw I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=553&v=TxbmjDngois I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again. I shall never complain again.
I have come to understand that Erai kept us well to help others; that Erai keeps us wealthy so that we shall share our wealth; that Erai gave us the intelligence and intellect so that we share our knowledge with others; and that Erai gave us excess food so that we share it with others too.
Just as the guru comes again and again not for himself but to save his disciples, we too come again and again not for ourselves but for others. Agathiyar told my wife and me that we came again for our daughter and that she was the reason we are in the Siddha path. Agathiyar says that we, both him and my wife and daughter all have had a bond back then and the relationship continues.
As of March 2019, the world population is 7.7 billion. But we only grow up with a handful, school with others, work with a further number of people and meet a few more. Why do we cross paths with only these few? Although we only interact with a small number of the population, our thoughts, deeds, and knowledge can be far-reaching, reaching the far corners of the world. It can influence the lives of others. It can uplift spirits of others across the globe. They can be scientist, inventors, tutors, saints, gurus, or the average farmer, but their contribution is seen and appreciated across borders.
When AUM initiated the feeding programs in certain schools, we reminded the kids to give back to society in any form once they settled in a job. Meanwhile, we taught them to accept their portion of the food and pass it on to the student next to him. Similarly, when we distribute groceries to the womenfolk struggling to feed their children and their parents, we asked them to help others too once they came out of their dire situation. But I have yet to see a receiver share the goods with another. I guess it takes some time to instill the thought of giving to others.
Just as wars have been going on for ages poverty has been around for quite some time too. Why have nations failed to eradicate poverty then? All the well-planned programmes to uplift the living standards of the poor have not seen the desired results. What went wrong?
Here we see some of the rather startling facts put forward by people who actually went on the ground to help the poor community rise.
To those who complain they have not enough, I invite them to visit these section of the community who are fighting to stay afloat and be sane at the same time. Just be grateful for what you have. Take only what you need and give the rest to others. Be the bridge and later bond the haves and have not. We have just started too. Join us in your own locality. Bring cheer to others. Bring laughter or a smile in the faces you meet today.
The world would be a better place if everyone looks out for the safety and well being of others. For instance walking along the road I find a piece of nail or screw that I know will puncture the next car that comes along. I bend to pick it up and throw it away from harms way. It is rather a very simple gesture or effort on my part, that can relieve the trouble and save another the cost of having to repair the puncture. There are many similar ways in which we can help each other without even having to know the person personally, or the need to be present on the spot. You must have seen the following video that exemplifies these circumstances.
Sometimes I lay
Under the moon
And thank God I'm breathing
Then I pray
Don't take me soon
'Cause I am here for a reason
Sometimes in my tears I drown
But I never let it get me down
So when negativity surrounds
I know some day it'll all turn around because...
All my life I've been waiting for
I've been praying for
For the people to say
That we don't wanna fight no more
There will be no more wars
And our children will play
One day
It's not about Win or lose
'Cause we all lose
When they feed on the souls of the innocent
Blood-drenched pavement
Keep on moving though the waters stay raging
In this maze you can lose your way (your way)
It might drive you crazy but don't let it faze you, no way (no way)
Then again something we do now, this instant, is bound to affect another either positively or negatively. Our actions sent ripples or has a domino affect around us. An action in a corner of the universe sparks a chain of actions in other places. So chose wisely what we intent to do.
I accidentally came across the following video of a very popular nursery rhyme that we all grew up with while searching for this particular song that my granddaughter was asking for. Watching it together with her, I never knew the boy, the girl and the old man they sing about are those living on the streets. I re-learnt the nursery rhyme that day, learning a new meaning to this song, that of inculcating the noble idea of sharing, caring and helping another, early in life through nursery rhymes for the children.
These days we expect God to come in person. But God is always around us, has always been with us, and in us and others too. When I succumbed to a sudden pain in the chest and was figuring if I could go out to purchase the groceries for the families that PTS was sponsoring that weekend, Suren offers to shop for them relieving my duties. I saw God's play then, caring and showing concern for me.
When the doctors initially suggested certain procedures for my daughter, the senior doctor came along to reverse the earlier decision. I saw God's play then and, there again, caring and showing his concerned for us.
God is present in nature. He keeps us alive by providing for us and all our needs through nature. Take away the natural habitat and we are lost of God's gift. Just as God showers his treasures through the trees, plants and animals that we are dependent on, learn to see God in others too. Learn to see god performing through others too. Bring God within us too and serve others just as nature serves us. But what do we do? We upset the very ecosystem that we are dependent on and bring harm to all. The land that was once dominated by animals, trees and plants is being slowly replaced by man and his man made structures. Where do the animals turn too for food and shelter then if not gate crashing into the dwellings of man?
Life's lessons cannot be taught in a classroom. On has to follow the parent, mentor, guru or others and pick up the lessons along the way. Occasionally one might get an answer or explanation from them. But most of the part we need to observe and learn by example. So is it with spiritual lessons. I tagged along with Supramania Swami and Tavayogi and learnt some precious lessons too.
Nature teaches us too. Watching nature we learn several lessons and pick up skills. We learn survival skills as in the plants, trees and animals. We learn to give without expecting in return, again from watching the plants, trees, animals.
We forget to smile these days. Some are so afraid to smile, fearing that they would invite trouble through eye contact that they chose to look away. Many shut themselves up in their air conditioned homes never wanting to look beyond the walls of their homes. Children are given the smartphone to keep themselves occupied while the adults attend to their work and chores. The child misses the bare foot walks on the grass covered with the morning dew. They miss watching the butterfly fly from a blade of grass to another. They miss watching the squirrel hop from branch to branch. They miss the birds that chirp away noisily as the mother feeds the young. They miss to look towards the night sky and watch its occupants shine upon us brilliantly. Although we did not go far, my parents and I watched natures marvel from the verandah of our home those days. Today I take my granddaughter on our regular morning and evening walks around the neighborhood and park watching natures beauty. This precious time spent with a growing kid brings much joy. Joy is also in having our parents, upon hearing we are coming home, prepare the tastiest dishes and serve us like royalty. These are the moments in life we cherished.
A man who goes out giving money away, giving food and serving others becomes divine in their eyes. This is the first step towards moving towards divinity - the reason for our elders to stress on these virtues and values. Only then can we bring the divine within to move us towards reaching the higher states.
Rather then put on the garb of a spiritual man and begin preaching about values and service, one needs to work with the society first, looking after their needs. He will understand better the problems of people when he takes on the role in an ashram later. Swami Sivananda when he was serving as a medical officer in then Malaya served the people before he made his way to Rishikesh to start his a monastery and his missionary work. Today he continues to live in our hearts and in our thoughts.
Our perspective of live and the world changes with modern discovery. With the advent of technology we are exposed to new things we never saw before. If prior to these, we were satisfied with what we had with and around us, then several pioneering travelers took to the road less traveled and came back with stories of the world beyond their frontiers. They traveled over the hills, across the seas and recently even beyond the world and into space. Sharing their journeys and discoveries, they changed our perspective of our world. Hence we got to see people in the likes of Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus, and Yuri Gagarin. Such accomplishments and achievements of these great and courageous men is carried by Paul Simpson in the "Independant" at https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/the-10-greatest-travellers-of-all-time-6104262.html.
Just who is the world's greatest traveler? A question posed by Wanderlust magazine to prominent personalities bagged these answers.
Nominated by Michael Palin: "Xuanzang travelled alone on a pilgrimage to discover the origins of Buddhism. The scope, scale and significance of these travels for Chinese and Indian history have never been equaled." XuanZang was a Chinese Buddhist monk who went on the mother of all pilgrimages and pioneered travel writing.
Travelling style: "He was curious, courteous, determined, intelligent and courageous," says Palin. Places visited: Xian, the deserts and mountains of western China, Afghanistan and Pakistan, all of India. Hardships suffered: hunger strikes, often caught by bandits, nearly died of thirst, survived an avalanche. Changed-the-world rating: "He left a priceless legacy in the record of his journeys and translations of Buddhist writings that might otherwise have been lost," says Palin.
Michael Palin himself is a great traveler having brought us several wonderful documentaries and books including the As seen on BBC "Himalaya".
Nominated by Sara Wheeler, travel writer: "Captain Cook discovered more of the earth's surface than any other man and excelled as a scientist, cartographer and surveyor. Travelling style: Precise - an excellent navigator, he always drew up accurate charts; indomitable - when his ship, the Endeavour, ran aground in the Coral Sea, he beached and repaired it; shrewd - he averted scurvy by forcing his crew to eat fruit and sauerkraut; open-minded - his notes show genuine interest in other cultures."
Yuri Gagarin was the first man in space. Nominated by Mark Ellingham, Rough Guide's founder: "He took the greatest leap into the unknown since Columbus - or at least since Laika, Sputnik 2's dog." On 12 April 1961 Yuri was blasted into space in crude terms - in a seat on top of a tin can, which was itself on top of a bomb. Places visited: Around the Earth and 315km above it. Changed-the-world rating: Fuelled the space race.
These are only some of the travels documented. There could be many more from all over the world who might have journeyed and never returned to tell their tale or it was not documented or forgotten in time.
Today without us realizing or being aware, we are being watched. There are men and instruments watching the ground and world below from above at each moment, flying in the air in airplanes and cruising around in space stations.
What we were accustomed with seeing at ground level, today has changed further with the advent and coming of drones. We now get to see a new view and over a greater expanse of the hills, dales, cliffs and the peaks. Earlier we had to board the plane to see a larger view of the ground.
As Marina Otero Verzier says in the following video "Drones are like an extended consciousness, its almost like an extra eye that allows us to reach places that otherwise we would never reach", our perspective of all things will definitely change. It looks like we have to accept change and be prepared to drop old beliefs in view of new challenges and discoveries. The drone has come to be a game changer where we get to see the fifth elevation as explained in the video.
Natural geographic and other movie makers bring us the world from their perspective that is mind blowing. The advancement in science has given us extra eyes to see things our fore fathers did not even imagine.
The siddhas too have a unique means to look into the past and future, a vision that goes beyond the corner, rises above the tallest buildings and the greatest peaks and beyond space into a file-room that holds the Akashic Records. They tap into its huge volumes of files kept about every individual who has taken birth and yet to take, we are told. They reveal them when the correct moment comes. I was blessed to have several readings. Coming to see the nadi, Agathiyar explained to us in detail the cause of our sufferings. He told us that it was due to our past karma. He showed us the means to diffuse the effect of our karma so that the sufferings stop or are lessened.
To begin with, we place a token of appreciation to the siddhas for willing to open up our nadi and peer into it to look into our past, so that we could know the reasons for events to take place in current times and if needed the remedies to bring change henceforth. This token or Nadiku Dhanam serves as payment to the nadi reader too. We are asked to donate towards the temple undil or funds while visiting the numerous temples mentioned in the nadi. We are to part with our money by giving a small token of appreciation as dhaksanai or fees for the archana that goes towards the upkeep of the temple and ensures the pujas go on besides being an income for the temple priests. The money spent on purchasing archana items means the small peddlers can bring home an earning too.
Through this act of performing parikaram we learn to part with our money and give it to another. Indirectly Agathiyar is opening our hearts to give. I went on a similar pilgrimage to temples to perform the parikarams or remedies stated in the nadi. I was shown another land, the land of my forefathers and ancestors. I was shown poverty and hardship endured by a portion of its citizens. My eyes teared when I saw the smile of gratitude and love in the eyes of its children when I fed them at Kallar ashram. When I went marketing with Tavayogi prior to feeding I saw that my money could buy much in India. When I returned to Malaysia, I was more thrifty in terms of spending as I became calculative, thinking what else I could get for these children in India for the money I spent here on luxuries.
Then Agathiyar sets us to do charity. We began by looking for children's homes and old folk's homes where we could look into their needs. We began to cook and serve food for the inmates of these homes and purchased and delivered groceries and other items requested. It was sad to see babies, toddlers and kids left behind by their parents who could not look after them, having brought them to these homes in the hope that their needs would be taken care of and their survival guaranteed. We could see the children looking forward towards us for love, to be cuddled and played with, which they missed in these homes. Sad.
As for those senior citizens in the care of these homes, we found them slowly adopting themselves to stay with total strangers, having being deserted and left behind by the very children whom they raised up without deserting them even in their toughest times. We could see that they had many stories to share with us. We realized and understood that in old age we need each other, a companion to talk to. Sad.
Along the way we picked up the cue from Sri Krishna to feed the homeless on the streets too. We went out giving cooked food and later switched to distributing buns and drinks to them. Our initial assumption that these were runaways or lazy bumps looking towards an easy life, not wanting to venture to look for jobs but rather being contended with receiving the handouts given, was wrong. We came to learn that they took up odd jobs and were paid but the measly salary could only sustain their existence and not pay for the high rental in the city and the bills that came with the utilities. Hence they hit the streets, slowly taking up their regular spot on the pavements when businesses close down for the day. Whatever food we provided was a saving for them for they need not spend for a meal. Sad.
Then we decided that we should take the cue from Vinthamaray Stan and family in feeding those struggling to make ends meet again with only a measly earning but a huge responsibility on their shoulders. We began to provide groceries for them. Then as we entered these homes and interacted with them, we found their homes in pathetic conditions, without even the basic needs, a pillow, a bed, etc. We came across family members bedridden for years. We came to realize that the enormous responsibilities of taking care of the needs of the family had fallen on the shoulders of grannies or young married women when the men in their houses deserted them. We saw a school going child take care of her infant sibling while the elders went to work or to do other chores. Sad.
Now we understand why Agathiyar directed us to feed and help the poor and unfortunate. He opened our eyes to yet another world beyond the comfort of the four walls of our homes, a real world with real people that existed right below our nose which we did not realize till now. Agathiyar has opened our hearts to extend help to these unfortunate society. But these are no great feat on our part for we only spend a moment with them listening to their problems. We do still return to the comfort of our homes, the air conditioned rooms, the cable tv and good food and entertainment.
If Agathiyar opened our eyes to the reality that was around us, here is one man who was visibly shaken by seeing the large number of the world's population go hungry that he chose to remind us and others who watch him play football that there are many going without food today. He chose to tattoo his body with the names of the hungry. Would we do it?
On 14 February 2015, Paris Saint-German played against Caen at Parc des Princes. For most players this game was just another day on the job. For Zlatan Ibrahimović this was his most important game to date. Underneath his sweater he had 50 new names tattooed. Names of people he’d never met, but still wanted to keep close. Names of some of the 805 million people suffering from hunger today. These people don’t often make the front page, yet hunger and malnutrition are the number one risk to health worldwide - greater than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. This is a campaign from the World Food Programme, the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. In emergencies, they get food to where it is needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. WFP is part of the United Nations system and is voluntarily funded. On average, WFP reaches more than 80 million people with food assistance in 75 countries each year. About 11,500 people work for the organisation, most of them in remote areas, serving the hungry. Support The United Nations World Food Programme and Zlatan Ibrahimović’s fight against hunger at http://WFP.org/805millionnames
When I returned from our last and latest feeding program sponsored by PTS, I was visibly disturbed too at seeing the deplorable condition my own kind and fellow humans were staying in. I wrote in the AS group.
Thank you to all those who came to distribute the groceries to 7 families at the PPR flats at Kampong Muhibbah this afternoon. Thank you for all the monetary contributions from all contributors to Amudha Surabhi (AS). But above this we would appreciate if you could come and join us personally in dispersing the aid and seeing for yourself the pathetic condition our society is living in. We cannot snap photos to show you. You need to see for yourself. We intend to focus in this place and contribute more towards many more families. Today we received requests for aid from another 4 families. We will hold the next potluck annadhanam (another feeding program) in conjunction with the Siddhar Jayanthi not in the streets but in these flats. It falls on Sat 30 March. Please cook a meal and come in person and serve these families.
Agathiyar has made us stop complaining over petty things, complaining about the lack of luxuries, complaining over unfulfilled desires and wishes, complaining over delayed responses and actions, and complaining about how life is not fair to us. Showing us that there are way too many out there who lived in substandard conditions without even the basic amenities and struggling to keep alive, he has made us become grateful for all the things he has showered on us. We appreciate all the little things and moments in life now.
Agathiyar tells us that our sufferings are not forever and that the mist would go away one day. He brings us to see the light beyond the mist. He too gives us the courage to face life. If it would bring some solace to the bleeding heart, poet laureate Kannadhasan assures us that we are not the only ones suffering and that there are many worst off, in the lyrics to a song for the movie Sumaithangi.
If Kannadhasan soothed the hearts of those in pain, living in fear and uncertainty about their future, through his numerous songs, then comes along Jiminy Cricket assuring us too of a better future. Jiminy brightens our life and world by giving us hope to live.
Everyone keeps askin'me
My recipe for livin'
It's simple as the ABC's
And hardly seems worth givin'
I've tried it out in every way
It always sees me through
It's made me what I am today
That's why I'm tellin' you
I'm a happy-go-lucky fellow
Ooh, doo, doo, doo
Full of fun and fancy-free
Doo, doo, doo
You can make the whole world seem mellow
If you take it in your stride like me
Ooh, doo, doo
Don't cross a bridge or peek 'round the corner
Until you're there
Just learn to smile and in a while
Doo, doo
You'll find trouble's a bubble of air
Get a happy-go-lucky feelin'
Doo
Keep it and I guarantee
Ooh
That you'll find you'll wind up livin' in the sun
So right
Full of fun and fancy-free
Full of fun and fancy-free
That's the way I wanna be
I don't let my troubles trouble me
Now some folks like the heavy stuff
With titles five feet wide
Not me, I'm always out for fun
Doo, doo, doo
I like the lighter side, yes, sir
Hooray
La, da, da, dee, la, da, da, dee
Don't let my troubles trouble me
Don't cross a bridge or peek 'round the corner
Until you're there
Just learn to smile and in a while
You'll find trouble's a bubble of air
Get a happy-go-lucky feelin'
(Source: "I'm a happy-go-lucky fellow" from Disney's Fun and Fancy Free written by Ned Washington and Eliot Daniel, performed by Cliff Edwards)
Pinnochio too brings cheer to us.
I've got no strings to hold me down
To make me fret, or make me frown
I had strings, but now I'm free
There are no strings on me
Hi-ho the merry-o
That's the only way to be
I want the world to know
Nothing ever worries me
Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing
Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true
How heartening and nostalgic it is to know that Jiminy Cricket speaks about conscience in the Walt Disney movie Pinocchio way back then.
We were told about conscience and told that each one has it. Our parents spoke about that. The movies depicted that. We were brought up to respect our conscience then. Our conscience itself tells us the do's and don'ts, tells us apart the right and wrong. We did not need anyone to tell us the right and wrong. We were very much connected with the soul and its past experiences. It tells us to stay away, to beware, warns us of dangers etc. Sadly we have lost our conscience these days. The day we lost it, there was a need for law and order. Man needed something to restrain him, hold him back from doing wrong. Now we have rules to restrain us, to keep us in check, something that the conscience did in us back then. This conscience was God then.
Just as the fairy gives life to Pinnochio and gets Jiminy to be his conscience, that is how we too have been sent off from Erai's kingdom with the soul as our conscience, on a journey of discovery and in which we are expected to learn from our experiences all that is productive and stay away from those that are destructive.
In the following scenes from Sumaithangi and Magizhampoo, we are shown how our conscience deals with us, comes to console us, set things right and clears our clouded vision. At times it stops us from taking a wrong turn, making wrong decisions and at other times pushes us to take positive action, mooting us to take a new direction, setting us back on the path.
As Jiminy explains to Pinocchio the right and wrong, our conscience comes to our aid and saves the day if only we let it speak, the reason the wise ask us to shut up and sit in silence. In silence our conscience dwells into the deeper reaches of our consciousness and brings forth the answers to all our doubts and questions and queries, enlightening us without even the need for an external guru then. Once we attain Atma Balam, our soul begins to teach us from within in silence. Lets take this journey then into the world of silence and let it do its wonder at least for once.
