EXPERIENCE AS TEACHER

How can we write a biography of our father or any other person for the matter unless we know him well? With whatever little he has told us and the other facts gathered from the others around him, we set to write one. Similarly, how do we write the origin of Agathiyar? How do you write the origin of Erai, Kadavul, or God? 

When a cousin of mine, who came to know that I was worshipping Agathiyar,  mentioned a couple of episodes from Agathiyar's life that he had read, asked me if they were true, I simply replied to him that I do not know. If someone was to ask me who was Agathiyar I would not have a satisfactory answer for him, although I worshipped him. All I know is that I was asked to worship him which I did. As to the question of what have you attained or gained through his worship, I can only reply that we do not come to worship expecting results or its fruits. That would be making a deal or doing business with the other. Worship has to be out of love for the other, irrespective if we gain or lose. Worship is respect that has delved into love for another. This untold love drives one to worship the other. The subject of worship can be another person, the parents, a guide or guru or the invisible prevalent energy that we give forms and names to.

I was given a name and a form to worship too. It was Agathiyar. He, through a Nadi reading, asked me to come to his path, the Siddha Margam and had Sivabalan immediately pass me his painting to worship. My worship of him began that day. A year later he showed me my first guru Supramania Swami. Three years later he showed me, my second guru, Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal. He did show me to others too but I put my feet down saying I want no more gurus in the physical form. Then he came as the guru in the form of a bronze idol. Can an idol be a guru then? Can an idol teach another? I would suggest you find out for yourselves by worshipping an idol of your favourite deity or guru. No amount of learning or discussion can come close to what experience can offer. One has to experience to know. The Siddha path is one of experience. Learning the practical way; that of walking the path.

Rather than have me sit in front of him and running through the volumes of literature and songs of the Siddhas, Tavayogi took me on a walk, first around his ashram, then into jungles, caves, and hills. He took me to the places where the Siddhas had placed their feet. Their energies that were present at these places, transformed into tiny miracles. Both nature and places of worship energize the body and soul. 

After 17 years, I surprise myself that I am still on the path where many have left for more enticing and gratifying paths. The days of searching and seeking has ended. The divine has come to stay. 

AVM Agathiyar who has adorned the covers of books, leaflets, magazines and billboards, has gained popularity making a brief appearance in numerous video on YouTube and a recent movie too.

The Siddha path is not a new fade but has been in existence for ages, kept alive by several individuals. With the age of print, their songs came accessible to the public. With the Siddhas giving instructions through their Nadi's many Siddha temples mushroomed. Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar of Ongarakudil was an instrument in bringing the worship of the Siddhas to Malaysia. Although he has not set foot in this peninsula, his followers brought the worship and dharma or acts of charity over and sustained them till this day. Sivananda Paramahamsa of Kerala had a following here till he returned to India in the years prior to the independence of Malaya. Both Jeganathar Swamigal and his disciple Chitramuthu Adigal had performed austerities here, with Jeganathar going into samadhi at Tapah and Chitramuthu Adigal returning to India. In their footsteps came Tavayogi to preach the Siddha path.

Even before these gurus trod his path, Agathiyar had literally walked on the face of the earth. Skimming through several documents brings us to understand that Agathiyar having been summoned by Lord Shiva to bring a check and balance while correcting the tilt that had occurred when all the Gods and Goddesses, Devas and Devis, Rishis and their wives, Siddhas and their wives, and all their attendants had converged at one spot in the north to witness the holy matrimony of Siva Parvathy. Agathiyar travelled to the south and placed his thumb on the ground at Agasthiyampalli and pressed it gently into the ground. The earth was brought to a state of balance. After completing his assigned tasks and receiving the darshan of both Lord Siva and Parvathy in their marital state, he moved to serve mankind and all. His journey and his many encounters have been documented in numerous works and songs of the Siddhas.

In writing about the "Origin & Development of Siddha System of Medicine", Dr Mandayam Kumar writes the following,

It would not be out of place here to give a short narrative about Sage Agastya at the beginning of Kali era, since when our present civilization has its origin. Sage Agastya is stated to have been born nearly 5000 years prior to the commencement of Kali Yuga, at a place in Gujarat, as the son of Bhargava and Indumathi who followed the traditional Pasupatha cult which was widely prevalent at that time. 

Sage Agastya’s text explains about a great calamity he had visualized, equivalent to a ‘Pralaya’, which took place about 1600 years before the Kali era.

The text referred to writings on an old palm leaf,

During a search for different literature on our ancient medical science in India, a palm leaf manuscript in Tamil dating back to 3100 B.C. could be traced, giving a detailed account of the intensive research work done by the great Siddhas of South India. 

The entire narration in the Siddha text is attributed to Sage Agastya and is given in the form of a discourse between him and Pulasthya, one of his intimate disciples. 

 Continuing from the texts,

It is stated that there was an explosion in the planet Mars by which enormous pieces of burning boulders and earth were thrown into space. One among such fairly big pieces was attracted towards the earth and hit the Antarctic region. Due to this collusion, the Earth’s path and axis were greatly disturbed and it took a long time for earth to settle itself and resume its normal course. Besides, the sea water rose to a great height submerging a major portion of the land south of India and spreading water all over, bringing in the end of all civilization which existed at that time. This collusion and disturbance caused a drift in the position of the land, dividing it into five parts as it stands at present. Only a handful of people were saved during this calamity and were scattered all over the world. It took nearly 1500 years for the earth to come to a form. It has been reckoned that the Kali era started from the midnight of the 18th February, 3102 B.C. 

Sage Agastya, with his cosmic intellect, was able to visualize that Lord Siva and his consort, Uma had willed to be born on earth in the form of Dakshina Murthy and Shenbhaga Devi and selected their abode at the Podigai Malai of the Courtalam range, north of Kanya Kumari. Eleven years after the commencement of the Kali era, great seers like Agastya, Nandeeswara, Pasupathi, Vyaghrapada and Patanjali gathered at Mahadeva Giri of the Courtalam hills, along with Lord Muruga, son of Siva and Parvathi, and met Dakshina Murthy and Shenbhaga Devi seeking their guidance. 

It is stated that Lord Dakshina Murthy instructed these Rishis to revive the ancient knowledge of philosophy and science and propagate them suitably for the wellbeing of humanity. Accordingly, each of them chose a different branch and recorded their knowledge on palm leaves, compiled in the form of texts. This great task was carried out at a place known as Alagan Kulam in Ramnad District of Tamil Nadu.

Agastya was particularly assigned with the task of taking necessary steps to propagate the ancient knowledge with all its branches throughout the world in a suitable manner according to the needs of circumstances. Thus, the entire recorded palm leaf texts were handed over by Lord Dakshina Murthy to Sage Agastya on Tuesday, the 21st day of Karthigai (Solar month) in Easwara Samvatsara of this Kali Yuga.

Having this great task before him, Agastya had to select eminent persons for the propagation of the knowledge. Under the guidance of Lord Muruga, an institution was formed near the main waterfalls at Courtalam adjacent to the Temple. The institution was started with the help of the great philosopher-scientist of China, the well-known Bhogar, and an eminent scholar from Malaysia by name Nandi Devar (subsequently named as Theriyar). Besides, Yugimuni, Pulappani, Pambatti Siddhar, Pulasthya and Kappiyan also joined them. With the help of these scholars, Sage Agastya conducted a conference at Courtalam and founded a hospital and research institute for the propagation of medical science. 

At Thorana Malai Research Institute, provision was made for teaching students from different parts of the world in five distinctive subjects in a systematic manner.

Firstly, they were taught philosophy to understand the relationship of soul and matter, the process of evolution and attainment of reality.

Secondly, they were trained in different branches of Yoga to attain perfection or Siddhi through the process of meditation.

Thirdly, they were thoroughly taught Astronomy and Astrology, which are inter-related.

Fourthly, they were trained in alchemy, i.e. physical and chemical properties of elements.

The last subject to be taught was the Science of Medicine. With these they would be thorough in their diagnostic capacities through the Nadi system, i.e., pulse reading. 

At this institute

Bhogar took up research on medicines with chemicals, minerals, gems and salts.

Nandi Devar (Theriyar) was the head of the department of surgery;

Yugi Muni was in charge of Ayurvedic preparations and medicines attached with herbarium; and

Pulasthya and Kappiyan were in charge of recording the results of different research works conducted at the institute. Apart from treating the general public the hospital had the facility to treat wounded warriors with surgery. Replacement of limbs and organs were also taken up including brain and heart surgery.

At Paradesi Kundai on Courtalam hills, an Ayurvedic institution was established with a herbarium attached to it under the able guidance of Yugi Muni. Botanical research was also taken up here, bringing about various high-breed varieties of plants, flowers, fruits, etc. Even silk cocoons with different colors were developed here by rearing the larvae with different chemicals as their food. The art of sericulture is elaborately explained in their records.

At Maruda Malai near Coimbatore, Pambatti Siddhar took up research work on poisonous snakes for the utilization of the venom in the treatment of various diseases. During the course of such a research, the administration of medicines through injections was also developed with the help of syringe and needle. Particular care was taken to design the needle. A special alloy of copper and gold was adopted in the manufacture of these needles. The mode of treatment through injections was considered as Raja Vaidya or king of treatments and it is stated that Chinese and Ethiopians widely used this art in their treatment.

Under the guidance of Bhogar an institution was established at Thiruparukundram near Madurai for research on minerals, salts, chemicals, etc., converting them to Bhasmas and Sindhuras for easy assimilation with high potency. These Bhasmas and Sindhuras have high specific activity and are very effective in the treatment of chronic and acute diseases. Further the method of liquefying the metals and minerals was also developed here making them suitable for administering as injections. In addition, to find out the nature of toxicity and efficacy of these medicines that they were first tried on animals. For this purpose, an animal house was established at Pasumalai adjacent to Thiruparukundram. 

The surgical section attached to the hospital in Thorana Malai was headed by Nandi Devar who was well known as Theriyar. At this place, the preliminary training in the art of surgery was given through a special species of frogs called Therai. Hence, the department head was nicknamed as Theriyar – one who rears Therai frogs. Elaborate explanations are given about the method of surgery. Hygienic upkeep of the place, sterilization of instruments, different anesthetic preparations to suit the age of the patient and duration of surgery are adequately explained, besides giving various medicinal formulae for the quick healing of the surgical wound. It is mentioned that the thread taken out from the banana plant was used for the sutures in surgery. Special preparations used as local anesthesia are also explained in addition to disinfectants. Transplantations of foetus on animals were also tried at Pasumalai bringing in several varieties of animals. They had even tried plastic surgery for wounded soldiers.

(Source:  http://www.tknsiddha.com/medicine/origin/)

It is amazing to read about the extent the Siddhas went to, to bring solutions to mankind. Compassion for man drove them to research and come out with appropriate solutions. Even today they guide many in treating diseases, in solving problems, in various discoveries, and in numerous other fields.

P.Karthigayan in his "History of Medical & Spiritual Sciences of Siddhas of Tamil Nadu", published by notionpress.com, Chennai, 2016, lists the extensive fields of sciences and studies the Siddhas had carried out.

Siddhas were pioneers of many scientific inventions and discoveries in ancient Tamil Land. Siddhas like Siva, Nandhi, Subramaniyar, Thirumoolar and Kaalaangi had shown special interest in health, longevity and immortality. Agathiyar had shown special interest in body concepts. Bhogar had shown special interst in physics. Chataimuni had shown special interst in alchemy. Konganar had shown special interest in aviation. Karuvoorar had shown special interest in metal castings. Jothimuni researched and perfected precious stones. Idaikkadar studied the cosmos.

Karthikayan writes that the Siddhas believed that immortality was of dual nature, Athma Siddhi or spiritual immortality and Kaaya Siddhi or physical immortality. He continues,

The Siddha cult was a path of freedom in every respect. Each one took some theme of research and passed on his findings to the society through his disciples and literary records. The main focus of their reserch was the body and the cosmos. From them originated unusual schools of thought that differed from the regular streams of spirituality known to ancient civilizations, hence came to be regarded as mythology in later years.

Only experience will prove otherwise. Walk the path to know. 

BETWEEN PLACING EFFORT & NON-EFFORT

Fate has brought us to the present moment. Fate has brought us to reside in this body that carries the seeds of success and failure, health and illness etc. Fate determined the place and time of our birth. Fate determines our parents' and siblings. These have been written in stone. These cannot be changed.

Destiny, on the other hand, is ours to make. It is in a state of fluid. We make our future. When the Siddhas through their Nadi tell us about our future, these are predictions of the numerous possibilities available, that they foresee. The choice is still ours to make. We still determine our destiny. We need to battle the odds and rise above it. A concerted effort is required for what is said in the Nadi to take place; it just doesn't drop out of the sky. The efforts are needed to bring our desires to fruition. This is applicable to the activities of the world. 

Moving within, seeking the light within, getting connected with the spirit and soul within, we come to sit in silence at the feet of the Mauna Guru Lord Dhakshanamurthy. He feeds us knowledge about our very existence, our past, present and future. He reveals the mysteries. Besides this, sitting in silence brings many other benefits too. The causal body that is made of Akashic Tatva, Vayu Tatva and Agni Tatva, when strengthened by sitting quietly and tapping the cosmic energy, removes the karma and illness borne by the physical body. The past, present and future are known by means of tapping into the Akashic records. Sitting in silence brings transformation and changes both within and without, without the need to move or make any effort.

But if we choose to put aside our desires and work on the desires of Erai or accept the Divine Will, all paths are cleared and the results are guaranteed. Heeding the words of the Siddhas we can make fast progress in our ventures rather than having to knock on several doors before arriving there eventually. Tavayogi told me that our effort is only two stages, namely muladhara and svadhisthana. Then the Siddha comes to lead us all the way. Supramania Swami told me that our efforts never go to waste.

Just as our efforts are two fold, it also applies to the four stages of gradual evolution towards the ultimate source. Our efforts are required initially to sail through Sariyai and Kriyai. Serving Erai's subjects and performing rituals both in the temples and homes, we come next to Yoga where the rituals take place within without our knowledge and participation. We become witness to changes and transformation that take place within. When this vehicle of Erai that is the body is cleansed and made good to receive the Divine within, he comes to reside in us as the Mauna Guru, teaching us from within. We become him. 

LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

Stephen Dupont, one of Australia’s most renowned and awarded documentary photographer and photojournalists, who has covered wars and catastrophes, having seen and photographed these faces of death, tells us frightening reality and fact in "Tales by Light - Life & Death" that we are pretty good at destroying our planet; we are pretty good at destroying each other; one might hope that we might learn one day not to; but history tells us we never learn."

Simon Lister too in the series "Tales by Light - Children in Need" shows us the dark side of poverty through his camera lens.

As Stephen Dupont says, so is it with us taking birth, again and again, never seemed to learn too. The lesson that we forget each time we are reborn, is not to do harm another again. If at all we cannot do good, please avoid doing harm. This simple lesson will turn our life around. By adopting this value alone, all the rest will take care of itself. Prapanjam will shower all its goodness on us.

To add on to this virtue that assures us of a rich life in all ways, if time permits and you have the finance and resources to help another, take that another step. Step out of your home and look for someone who needs a helping hand, an ear to listen, a blanket to cover himself from the cold of the night, food to appease his hunger or drink for his thirst. Every single person can do his part, in his small way. This is the first step towards doing charity. You do not need an organization to do charity, although working under the wings of one can reach far and wide.

Malaysians are a very charitable lot. Sadly on our rounds to feed the homeless recently, we saw much food thrown away in the rubbish bins, littered around or dumped in numerous places. There are way too many organizations or soup kitchens feeding the poor in the city centre. Noticing this, we had switched to distributing bread and packet drinks which is immediately taken up. These can be kept for later. Some of us have switched to giving cooked food outside of Kuala Lumpur city too where not many NGO feeds.

Life is an experiment. We shall work our way through taking life's lesson in our stride. With the divine looking over our shoulders we shall take larger strides towards serving him and his creation.

COMING TO UNDERSTAND THE DIVINITY WITHIN & WITHOUT

A friend, family, devotee and a reader of this blog from a far off continent messaged me.

The article Coming to understand the siddha songs....at the end you say He is in us and we in him. What does this mean? So for example, How does it play out? What is the experience? How does it feel so how do we know we are tapping into it.

She was referring to https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2019/04/coming-to-understand-divine-songs.html. I messaged her back.

There is god within and without we are told. We are all a part of him, we are told. We are Buddha by nature we are told again. 

It is just that we do not realize this truth, and move according to our whims and wishes to fulfil our selfish needs and desires. But the moment we follow him he mellows our hearts and brings forth compassion. We begin to sing his praises. We begin to care for strangers too. 

With this change taking place in us, his dim spark expands into a huge flame or fire that consumes us. Once this veil of ignorance is removed by equating this body as his temple, he comes within to stay for good. Love expands in us. He is experienced every moment. All our moves are his move. 

He lives in us. We realize this when he begins to tap more cosmic energies from the Akash. He passes it on to others around him. The god within extends an arm out of us and fetches his energy so that we and others are healed literally, just as a twinning plant, creeper or shoot reaches out for the sun, and the tree and its root going deeper and deeper into the soil, bringing in sunlight and plant food respectively. 

Once we begin to tap these energies we are one with them. The spark that is a gigantic flame now burns our karma, heals us completely and a huge transformation takes place in us, mentally and physically. This is what happened to Ramalinga Adigal too.

The creator created us and we are a part of his creation. A classic example is how Agathiyar created Lobama and came many years later to wed her. Similarly Ramalinga and all the saints saw the divine as a groom and they as a bride or vise versa. The mystic union takes place in these moments. They come to claim what is rightfully theirs. This is yogam, after sariyai and kriyai which are our efforts. After yogam, gnana is given to us as we sit silently at their feet, caressing their feet, listening to them fill us up on the secrets of creation and all the rests of the mysteries.

Another friend, family, devotee and a reader in India is waiting patiently for me to answer his many earlier questions too.

Some have asked why I made this blog private?

As NS Shan mentioned, "Your findings, experiences...are all consistent with have that has been said and experienced by others n their experiences.... With a few " Individualised " extra experiences for you to understand and guide others....", we at ATM have been privileged to be guided and given numerous tasks that were specific in nature to carry out by Agathiyar and the Siddhas. The experiences gained from serving him and the community has done wonders in us, bridging the gap between us and them. 

As you already know that I have made this blog private, meaning it is no more for public consumption. The reason is that Agathiyar has customized a path for us leading to the feet of Erai. What he tells us will not go down well with the public. Neither will what has been written down for the common man be applicable to us too. For instance when we served food before prayers at a temple, the temple priests told us to serve after puja for then the deity will know what we did and to whom we gave food. I kept quiet respecting his hold on the agamas. But to us the Siddha asked that we feed the devotees first before beginning our puja. To avoid further instances like the time where a guru of an ashram who was a follower of Agathiyar ridiculed me for worshipping Agathiyar's idol (https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2017/02/give-according-to-vessel.html) and several emails and comments that came in from devotees who could not bring themselves to see that Erai was one, argued over it, I thought for some while now, whether this direct teachings from Agathiyar should be kept within our circles. Off course there were others who tagged on the popularity of this blog to advertise their ware.

This email was in response to our stand after Agathiyar pronounced that he was prapanjam and that the prapanjam was in him and that he would come in any form we chose to see him. But the reader felt otherwise and wrote to me, sharing what he had been taught in his school of thought.

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA!

Thank you for sharing this story (refering to 

https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2019/03/from-walking-behind-erai-to-cruising.html). Amazing devotion.

I just wanted to comment on your new Video. You show pictures of Aghastiyar worshipped as Ganesha. ganesha and Aghastiyar are different living entities.

The Mayavada theory that all is one and you can worship in whatever way you like is wrong as will be proved from the Vedas and Vaishnava Acharyas:

"Just as the Gangā is the greatest of all rivers, Lord Acyuta the supreme among deities and Lord Śambhu [Śiva] the greatest of Vaiṣṇavas, so Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the greatest of all Purāṇas." [Srimad-Bhagavatam 12.13.16 https://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/12/13/16 ]

Translation:

“Śankarācārya is not at fault, for it is under the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead that he has covered the real purport of the Vedas.

Purport:

[...]

“The Māyāvāda philosophy,” Lord Śiva informed his wife Pārvatī, “is impious [asac chāstra]. It is covered Buddhism. My dear Pārvatī, in Kali-yuga I assume the form of a brāhmaṇa and teach this imagined Māyāvāda philosophy. In order to cheat the atheists, I describe the Supreme Personality of Godhead to be without form and without qualities. Similarly, in explaining Vedānta I describe the same Māyāvāda philosophy in order to mislead the entire population toward atheism by denying the personal form of the Lord.”

In the Śiva Purāṇa the Supreme Personality of Godhead told Lord Śiva:

dvāparādau yuge bhūtvā kalayā mānuṣādiṣu

svāgamaiḥ kalpitais tvaṁ ca janān mad-vimukhān kuru

“In Kali-yuga, mislead the people in general by propounding imaginary meanings for the Vedas to bewilder them.” These are the descriptions of the Purāṇas.

[...]

This is confirmed in the Padma Purāṇa, where Lord Śiva tells Pārvatī:

śṛṇu devi pravakṣyāmi tāmasāni yathā-kramam

yeṣāṁ śravaṇa-mātreṇa pātityaṁ jñāninām api

apārthaṁ śruti-vākyānāṁ darśayaḻ loka-garhitam

karma-svarūpa-tyājyatvam atra ca pratipādyate

sarva-karma-paribhraṁśān naiṣkarmyaṁ tatra cocyate

parātma-jīvayor aikyaṁ mayātra pratipadyate

“My dear wife, hear my explanations of how I have spread ignorance through Māyāvāda philosophy. Simply by hearing it, even an advanced scholar will fall down. In this philosophy, which is certainly very inauspicious for people in general, I have misrepresented the real meaning of the Vedas and recommended that one give up all activities in order to achieve freedom from karma. In this Māyāvāda philosophy I have described the jīvātmā and Paramātmā to be one and the same.”

How the Māyāvāda philosophy was condemned by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His followers is described in Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, Second chapter, verses 94 through 99, where Svarūpa-dāmodara Gosvāmī says that anyone who is eager to understand the Māyāvāda philosophy must be considered insane.

This especially applies to a Vaiṣṇava who reads the Śārīraka-bhāṣya and considers himself to be one with God. The Māyāvādī philosophers have presented their arguments in such attractive, flowery language that hearing Māyāvāda philosophy may sometimes change the mind of even a mahā-bhāgavata, or very advanced devotee. An actual Vaiṣṇava cannot tolerate any philosophy that claims God and the living being to be one and the same.

[Chaitanya Charitamrita https://www.vedabase.com/en/cc/adi/7/110 ]

As quoted above "... where Svarūpa-dāmodara Gosvāmī says that anyone who is eager to understand the Māyāvāda philosophy must be considered insane", sadly they have no reservations in degrading others. I was taken aback to read in a movement's publication that those who did not worship their object of worship were regarded as rascals. 

Agathiyar has told us not to debate or argue with others and even if a faith, belief, teaching or practice does not conform to his teachings, let it be. As we uphold his teachings, we avoid all forms of confrontation.

As Siddha Vaidyar Bhani once said that a particular song of Lord Vinayagar had three profound meanings over time. As a child and student, he was told that it was a song of praise to Vinayagar. Later while learning Siddha medicine he was told that that song carried a secret formula to make a concoction or medicine. Finally coming to Yogi Ramaiah, he was told it was a song related to Jnana.

Similarly, it is with the Aasi Nadi readings revealed by the Siddhas. Over the years it threw a new meaning on re-reading them, bringing a new perspective and better understanding.

So is it with the songs of Ramalinga Adigal, Pattinathar, Sivavakiyar and Pambatti and others who had strongly opposed and many a time ridiculed and regarded as unproductive the numerous measures and means taken as with upholding the performance of rituals, chanting of mantras, worship of yantras and other agamas. They had apprehended society for upholding age-old beliefs, customs and traditions. We fail to realize that all these although true are practical only when we have reached their state of consciousness and their state of existence, having burnt their karma in tapas and living apart from society in solitude. Similarly, as we now have access to the ocean of knowledge out there in the form of books, net, streamed talks, and life gurus, we are more confused than enlightened by the differing stand of all these authors, speakers and holy men. 

We at ATM have opted to follow the word of Agathiyar and he is guiding us well as and when necessary. As the wise say why rock the boat that is sailing well, we shall patiently await for Agathiyar to lead us on towards the light.

UNDERSTANDING SUFFERING

Siddharta saw his people in pain, suffering, growing old and die. He wanted to get down to the ground beyond his palace walls to understanding why all these were happening, what seems to be something new to him, as he had been shut out from the outside world all the years.

Agathiyar too brought us into the homes of some families to see for ourselves the sufferings people were undergoing. He brought us to the hospitals to treat our illnesses or accidents so that we could see others suffering even more. 

When a devotee of Agathiyar fell and fractured her patellar bone just days ago at her working place, I called her to inquire about her condition. She was a strong lady, being a nurse and having seen many injured patients herself. I told her to see things positively. Accidents are bound to happen. It doesn't mean that once we worship the Siddhas no mishaps or sufferings will take place in our lives. We will have to go through all these but the severity of it is lessened by the glance and grace of the Siddhas. A worse scenario would be if she had fell outside in public among strangers. Someone would have to call for the ambulance that would have taken some time in the city traffic. She would have to bear with the pain for even longer hours while waiting to be seen at the emergency unit of the nearest hospital. The family would only come to know about her accidental fall much later. 

Whereas the most merciful and compassionate father although could not stop the accident, helped cushion it. She fell at her workplace which coincidentally was a hospital too. Her colleagues picked her up and attended to her immediately. She was operated the very next day and is back home recovering from the injury and operation that was done on her. The period of pain and anguish, worry and all the accompanying troubles she would have to go through were shortened drastically. I strongly believe the Siddhas were with her in her moment of need. 

When my daughter was knocked down by a car while riding pillion, she broke both her tibia and fibula bones. She was cast in a fibreglass cast and had to layoff for the next nine months, missing her internship. We chose to see a blessing even in these times of suffering and anxiety. Her case was unique as she fell within the 5 per cent who have non-union of their bones. She needed help to recover for there was no new bone growth taking place in the site of injury even after four months had gone by, bewildering everyone. The good doctor at the general hospital suggested a new and alternative treatment as we did not want a titanium bone plate placed in her. The ACP injection or Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy worked wonders after she received three injections over the next few days. There was new and positive growth of her bone cells. 

Here again, the most merciful and compassionate father although could not stop the accident, helped cushion it. Immediately after she was hit, her friends summoned the ambulance that took her to a nearby hospital. After our insistence that she needed to walk again quick so that she could continue her internship, the good doctor at the emergency ward recommended the external fixation kit be attached to her bones that would enable her to walk while waiting to heal, instead of lying down in plaster cast for the next three months as he originally proposed. The next day the divine interferes in the form of a senior doctor who reverted back to casting her leg and waiting for nature to heal her rather than performing the operation to place the fixation. We would like to see her long wait to heal and walk again as a blessing. If she had had the fixation as we had requested, she could have got herself in more trouble and danger. Maybe there was a reason she had to stay at home for the next nine months, under the watchful eye of Agathiyar. We chose to see things positively.

Accepting suffering and believing that our prayers will be answered, keeps us from going into depression. Believing that we have survived a tragedy or an accident, an illness or a disease, by the grace of the divine, will accelerate recovery. When visiting a patient do not enquire from him what had happened, forcing him to revisit and relive the horrific incident to each and every one. When visiting a patient do not play the role of a doctor, suggesting other options, treatments, or medicines etc. Neither mention other similar cases but with more intense or tragic outcomes, scaring the patient. Don't frighten their wits or dampen their spirits by narrating other severe case histories to them. Positive talk and wishes from visitors and family help towards a fast recovery. In short, like Thumper says in the Disney cartoon Bambi, "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all." If you have nothing nice to say, don't say it.

COMING TO UNDERSTAND THE DIVINE SONGS

NS Shan posted a message in our group of his observation, "Your findings, experiences...are all consistent with have that has been said and experienced by others n their experiences.... With a few " Individualised " extra experiences for you to understand and guide others...."

True to his observation Agathiyar has individualized and customized the path for us. 

ஓடிஓடி ஓடிஓடி உட்கலந்த சோதியை
நாடி நாடி நாடிநாடி நாட்களும் கழிந்துபோய்
வாடி வாடி வாடிவாடி மாண்டுபோன மாந்தர்கள்
கோடிகோடி கோடிகோடி எண்ணிறந்த கோடியே.

While Sivavakiyar says that all the chase after the Jhothi that was all the while within one, was fruitless albeit the days were wasted, and tens of millions died in disappointment in not attaining it, Supramania Swami tells me that no effort of ours goes to waste. These are all stepping stones to a better understanding of life and its mysteries.

What appeared to be mere songs that were difficult to comprehend, the songs of the saints and Siddhas have brought on a new meaning now after many years of worship to them. We seem to be making some headway and progress too on the path.

The only means to truly understand the content and the true meaning of these songs for the said Siddhas is for them to appear and elaborate it to us directly. Only Ramalinga Adigal can tell us what he meant in the songs he wrote. Similarly, it is with the songs of others. All other means of interpretation will be masked and tainted by the opinion of the one translating them. The mastery of the language and the extent or limits of understanding of the individual will determine the outcome of the translation too. On the contrary, Agathiyar tells us first to worship the saint or Siddha, asking him to come within and reveal the true knowledge behind his verses. 

Manikavasagar in his Sivapuranam mentions the same.

சிவன் அவன் என்சிந்தையுள் நின்ற அதனால்
அவன் அருளாலே அவன்தாள் வணங்கிச்
சிந்தை மகிழச் சிவ புராணம் தன்னை
முந்தை வினைமுழுதும் ஓய உரைப்பன் யான்.

Agathiyar tells, us immaterial whether we know the language in which the song is written in, we shall come to read it with their blessings. Hence the need to worship the saints and Siddha is indeed necessary to delve into and understand the essence and mysteries of their songs.

என்னிலே இருந்தஒன்றை யான் அறிந்ததில்லையே
என்னிலே இருந்தஒன்றை யான் அறிந்து கொண்டபின்
என்னிலே இருந்தஒன்றை யாவர் காண வல்லரோ
என்னிலே இருந்திருந்து யான்உ ணர்ந்து கொண்டெனே.

True to what Sivavakiyar says, we did not know of the existence of "That" which was within us, till Agathiyar opened our eyes to it. Today we have begun to cherish "That" with all our heart and soul.

நினைப்பதொன்று கண்டிலேன் நீயலாது வேறிலை
நினைப்புமாய் மறப்புமாய் நின்றமாயை மாயையோ
அனைத்துமாய் அகண்டமாய் அனாதிமுன் அனாதியாய்
எனக்குள்நீ உனக்குள் நான் இருக்குமாற தெங்ஙனே.

The thought of "That" is held fast throughout the day while our consciousness slips into "That" too during sleep. "That" can have various forms and names to others. To us "That" is Agathiyar. Today we know he is in us and we in him.

FAITH & ADORATION

Faith and adoration are sufficient to gain the grace (arul) and glance (parvai) of Agathiyar. It is said that at the mere mention of his name all the Siddhas will turn to look towards us, asking who is calling out the name of Agathiyar. Coming down the steps of the Nattadreeswar temple in Kangayapalaiyam, Erode, Tavayogi who had sat throughout our visit to the temple in silence, turned to me and told me "Agathiyar and Siva are one!"

The name Agathi itself means the indwelling fire. Agatheesa would mean Siva who has come within. When we worshipped him with faith and adored him, he came to us. Today he stands as Muruga (Gnana Panditha), as a beacon of knowledge to us. Today he stands as the warrior Kumaran, as a force field and a shield ever protecting us from harm's way. Today he hugs us in his arms as Mother Bhuvaneswari, caring for all our needs as a mother would. Today he sits as Dhakshanamurthy, bringing us to sit in silence at his feet too, imparting all his knowledge to us directly. It is the same flame that has taken the form of sparks in all the souls. The soul is one whether it is that of Siva or the ant. It is just that it has its limitations in each physical form. Man is gifted since he can work towards making this small spark from his flame even bigger, gaining Atma Balam.

Faith in him moved us to have his bronze statue commissioned according to his specifications. Faith in him moved us to adore his image, bath him, dress him and sing his praises. Today he sits majestically in a state of extreme bliss at ATM, having seen the darshan of Lord Siva and Parvathi appear especially before him, in the deep woods of the south at Thirumaraikaadu (Agasthiyampalli), after their matrimony in Kailash. He sits as Siva and Parvathi blessing those who seek him at ATM. He appears as Lord Ganapathy, Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Narashimha, Rama, Ambal, Dhanvantri, Nandhi Devar, Kaala Bhairava and as guru Raghavendra, Ramalinga Adigal and all the Gods and Goddesses in the Hindu pantheon. "Who would you like to see, I shall appear thus!', he once said. And thus, as he said he has appeared to us in all forms, culminating in the opening of both his eyes to see and bless us. To those who ask if the stone can speak, he has shown us that the metal can see.

He sits like a mountain, tranquil and peaceful, in a state of extreme bliss. Just sitting in his presence brings us to his meditative state of tavam these days; bringing peace within us; with the breath having settled, the thoughts too had settled; no asking; no expectations; no deals; no worries; just watching the breath and losing it too, just watching the thoughts, letting it go without observing them, till there is emptiness. Sitting in silence we get connected to the cosmos that is constantly energizing mother earth and its inhabitants. Sitting in silence the divine cosmic energies begin to work in us, healing us, healing our pain, healing our illness, healing our worries and sufferings. The divine gives us inspiration, strength, courage, motivation to drive this vehicle through the obstacles and ammunition thrown at us as we journey along this rough terrain called life.

Courtesy of Sivakavin 

Courtesy of Sivakavin

Courtesy of Sivakavin

THE MAGICAL WORLD OF THE SIDDHAS

Ruzbeh Bharucha who receives messages from Shirdi Sai through channelling, tells us that sitting in silence and getting connected with the cosmic energy heals the causal body which in turn heals the physical body. P.Karthikeyan writes that "the Siddhas believed body's health conditions directly depend on the ratio of cosmic elements in our body. They believed that diseases are indicative of imbalance of these elements and can be cured by correcting the imbalance judiciously." Dr Krishnan once told me that the body has the ability to heal itself. 

Agathiyar told me the reason for my acute back pain the first time I had to endure for some 2 1/2 years, was due to an imbalance in the three doshas - kapa, vata and pitta. The next time I had it, it went away within weeks. The third time I succumbed to it Sage Dhanvantari told me vata was in excess. The last time I had it Agathiyar told me it had to do with the breath gone wrong. As said, the medical test did not show any problems in me. The problems in the physical body are related directly to the other invisible bodies that we are said to have. The illness originates in these bodies. Heal these and we regain our health. This is where the people of the past civilizations turn towards the sky and the spirits for guidance and healing. The stroke of the feather of a peacock is said to heal the causal body as observed by Ruzbeh. We were gifted to see it work a miracle in my case, healing my back pain.

Although the Siddhas see the world from a different perspective, they do ask us to seek modern treatment and medicine for some specific cases as in mending a bone fracture and several minor and major operations for my daughter and wife respectively. In another instance, he asked my daughter to seek a Siddha remedy as modern medicine would not work. As for me, Agathiyar told me to seek Siddha medicines for the modern laboratory tests and examination would not detect anything. As for my other daughter, both Agathiyar and Tirumular came to her bedside and healed her, raising her platelet count.

Just as Osho, Ramana, and Tavayogi had different solutions for different devotees, Agathiyar too customizes his guidance accordingly. For one who had all the time, he brings him to commissioned his statue and to perform libation or abhisegam and light the sacred fire or homam and sends his devotees over to join him in joint prayers or kutu pratanai. For another who was always on the run, hardly finding time to do an elaborate puja, he is asked to join any full moon or pornami puja done elsewhere. For a householder, he is asked to distribute his time between carrying out his responsibility to his family and spending the rests of his time in contemplating Erai. Some are made to totally devout their time in his service and service to mankind full time. Just as there are the paths of sariyai, kriyai, yogam, and gnana, he provides for diversity in our lives. Life would be a bore if there were only good guys, only one path, only one method, only on practice etc. Agathiyar has given us the freedom to experiment in life, often learning from mistakes. We are allowed to make mistakes. Through making mistakes and learning from it, we progress towards the light.

I always asked myself if the Siddhas were our ancestors. The Chinese too pray to their ancestors and the numerous deities. They observe the new moon and full moon days too. They are steeped in customs and traditions too just as we are. Life is colourful because of culture and tradition. Take away both, life would be boring. Festivals bring the community together. It brings people away from the four walls of their homes into the open, to mingle with society.

I have always asked myself why nothing is written about the Siddha's personal lives and the society of that time too? While the learned and some new age gurus chose to see, interpret and translate the myths, legends and stories of Gods and Goddesses, the Rishis, the Munis and Siddhas along philosophical lines, the Siddhas who documented their life's in the form of songs, speak about Agathiyar living with the Gods and Goddesses. Agathiyar did walk the earth. So have the rests of the Gods and Goddesses, Devas, Rishis, Munis and Siddhas.

THE BATTLE GOES ON

An epic showdown between the Avengers with Thanos - "the evil demigod who decimated the planet and the universe is to take place. The Avengers assemble together once more in order to undo Thanos's actions and restore order to the universe."

The battle between good and evil has been going on for ages. We had the first world war start "after Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire - was shot to death along with his wife Sophie by the Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip on June 28, 1914. That spark was ignited in Sarajevo, Bosnia. The war lasted until 1918. During the conflict, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire (the Central Powers) fought against Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Japan and the United States (the Allied Powers). Thanks to new military technologies and the horrors of trench warfare, World War I saw unprecedented levels of carnage and destruction. By the time the war was over and the Allied Powers claimed victory, more than 16 million people - soldiers and civilians alike - were dead."(Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/world-war-i-history)

The site Imperial War Museum at https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/timeline-of-20th-and-21st-century-wars, to our horror, states that,

There were only short periods of time that the world was free of war. The total number of deaths caused by war during the 20th Century has been estimated at 187 million and is probably higher.

Going back even further, we had read of wars fought practically on every inch of soil around the world. What went wrong?

Back home in our living rooms and in our hearts wars are fought each moment. The enmity between life partners, siblings, friends goes on. What is wrong? Be it a nation, race, or individual, each wants to uphold its belief, faith, opinions and rights. Trouble then brews.

Going through the Puranas, to our astonishment, we are told of fights between the Gods, Goddesses, Devas, and the inhabitants of these worlds. How do we understand these then?

Great Puranic wars were said to be fought here too. The epics Ramayana and Mahabharata speak of wars. It speaks of Gods, Avatars, Rishis, Munis, Siddhas joining forces with one to defeat the other.

Sri Yogananda Paramahansa in his translation of the Mahabharata tells us that the battle is within us, that the Pandavas and Kauravas are within us.

But the Siddhas documented many episodes during their times where they actually lived and interacted with the Gods and Goddesses. Velayudham Karthikeyan Aiya's blog Siththan Arul at https://siththanarul.blogspot.com/ carries many interesting stories of such encounters. My mother used to tell us that the God's lived with man in days of past.

We have had Arunagiri engaged with Sambanthan in a dwell of who shall bring their object of devotion to appear before the king and his subjects.

On a personal note, Agathiyar surprised me when he told me he had to cross numerous obstacles and hurdles to come to AVM back in 2010 as the bronze statue.

Another surprise awaited me when Tavayogi whispered to me to bring someone along to collect water for abhisegam in a temple situated at the foothill of a hill, lest our puja should be disrupted. Just as the Rishis are said to have sought the aid of Avatars to stand guard against evil forces in the form of Asuras, as they completed their yagam, he told me certain forces would wait to derail our Yagam. In the homes, splitting the lime in two and spreading kumkum over it, is said to repel and keep these forces at bay, something Tavayogi asked us to do too.

Just as there is duality in all, night and day, sweet and sour, etc there is good and bad too and it is here to stay. It is we who decide on which side we want to stand.