A JOURNAL OF MY JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY 1959 TO 2020 - PART 2

Dear readers, please note that these sharings are not to boost my ego or to make an impression or a statement that I and all those who came along with me on this journey are special in the eyes of the divine. We are neither special nor are we the apple of the eye of Agathiyar. We have to remind ourselves that father loves everyone equally. It is just that we came to him earlier. Others will come to him soon. The idea of sharing them is to make known to readers how simple it is to get the grace of the Siddhas by way of worshipping them. One's experience will kindle another to travel the way. That is all we are doing here. To make progress each one has to put in the effort.

We shall continue the journey.

The next 3 years were spent in me searching, gathering and discovering anything and everything on the Siddhas and engaging in short conversations with Supramania Swami through STD calls to India and the snail mail.

In 2005, I kept seeing an advert for the opening of a Peedham in Malaysia, in a local Tamil daily. The name of one of the dignitaries struck a chord in me. It carried the name and photo of one Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal. I went through my stack of documents and retrieved a leaflet that I received from Senthilkumar after he had read the Nadi for me in 2002. It carried the name Thai Veedu Thangarasan MA. Were they the same person? I had to ascertain. I called the number in the advert. I soon saw myself standing in front of Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal who was to become my second Guru.

Nadi Reading 2 by Agathiyar - 15.8.2005

I told Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal when I met him the very first time in Malaysia in 2005, that it had been 2 ½ years since I last saw the Nadi with Senthilkumar. Tavayogi immediately gave me Nadi Guru Ramesh’s telephone number. I made an appointment. When I saw Senthilkumar in 2002, he took an imprint of my right thumb to enable him to locate my Nadi. We had to leaf through numerous leaves to arrive at mine. However, Ramesh did not do so, this time around. Ramesh played the tail end of the earlier reading of my Nadi that was recorded on tape by Nadi Guru Senthilkumar. He asked for my date of birth, time and Lagna. Then he went into an adjacent room and seem to have my Nadi in his hands, in a jiffy, all too magical to believe. He asked if he should transcribe the reading. I told him to do as he pleased. He then taped the whole session without transcribing.

It was the Aasi Kaandam of Agathiyar that was read. I was told that this Nadi is not located from the thumbprint as in locating the Kaanda Nadi, but is a revelation by Agathiyar, to whom he chooses to speak to. Throughout the reading, I was in tears. He accepted me into his circle and blessed me for a better future. Agathiyar was so kind and generous to me. He pardoned me for my past mistakes, removed the guilt that I had carried all this while, saying all was his doing and added that I needed those experiences too.

Moving to the present, Agathiyar, Ma, Aiya who frequent my dwelling, have been stressing to us the same, that we are here to gain experiences and to learn valuable lessons in life. Ma says that the Siddha path is one of learning or padipinai. Agathiyar says that everything is a lesson or paadam for us. I have come to realize that since I took the very first step in seeing my Nadi till the present day, everything that took place in my life was orchestrated by Agathiyar for me to learn and establish the good and the evil, and refrain from repeating the mistakes I did and those of others too. There were many a times that I felt guilty in having made certain decisions but he later came to relieve me of the guilt, telling me that it was his doing. I have learned to take things in my stride these days knowing that he wants me to learn a lesson from each engagement and the turn of events. Similarly, he filled me with the knowledge and understanding that came with carrying out worship to the Siddhas, performing the numerous rituals that were once the purview of priests, learning the mystic art of yoga, etc. He brought me to trend fresh territories each time, discarding the old. We began to experiment and develop the means and ways to enhance all the tasks given. He made me drop those that became irrelevant in our time. He gave us leeway to live our lives as we wished. But more on that later. I bring you back to my second Nadi reading that materialized with the blessings of Tavayogi. 

In this Aasi Kaandam reading, Agathiyar told me that the Agathiyar Gnana Peedham in Batu Caves which Tavayogi came to officiate, was the place for me to learn about spirituality. I was also told to see Tavayogi that night itself for a teecha, although he had given it to me and nine others including my wife earlier. Why was there a necessity to get the teecha again? I was late night then as businesses were closing? Where am I to get the items to gift the guru as Guru Thaksanai? I was lucky that these questions did not crop in my mind then for I would have been faced with having to make a choice. I could have brushed aside, ignored or delayed seeing Tavayogi. Instead, when I followed as instructed and got Tavayogi’s blessing and teecha from him again that very night, my life took a turn. My life was realigned to come under the tutelage of Tavayogi personally rather than through association with the Peedham. The reading on tape too was mysteriously ‘erased’ and rewritten defining a new destiny for me after I followed what was asked of me by Agathiyar.

Nadi Reading 3 by Agathiyar - 18.8.2005

I went back to Ramesh explaining the mysterious event. When the Nadi was re-read to me, there was no mention of the Agathiyar Gnana Peedham in Batu Caves anymore. I figured that the moment I surrendered to Tavayogi there was no need for an organization anymore. Besides Kallar and Palani, which was mentioned earlier, the new reading mentioned additional temples and Siddha’s places that I ought to visit including Tiruvannamalai, Vedharanyam, Pothigai, and Courtalam.

Nadi Reading 4 by Agathiyar - 19.8.2005

This reading was not recorded but instead written out for me. Agathiyar mentions the initiation or Theecha I received from Tavayogi. He reveals the mysterious events that took place at Palani during my first visit in 2003.

I frequented the Peedham in Batu Caves where Tavayogi was staying during his stay in Malaysia to meet, chat or just sit in his presence. When he left for India, I took up his invitation to visit his Ashram in Kallar.

On my second trip to India, I continued keeping a detailed account of my visit and shared it on my websites.

MY SECOND PILGRIMAGE TO INDIA

Day 1 Starting The Pilgrimage With Ragavendra Swami's Blessing

I boarded the plane for India from KLIA at 9.05am, 16th September 2005 on a pilgrimage a day after my 46th birthday. I had been directed to make this pilgrimage by Agathiyar through the Aasi Kaandam Nadi reading.

I arrived in Chennai at 10 am IST. Mr. Jiva, the tour agent in India and Mr. Prem, my driver received me at the airport. I confirmed my return ticket at the Jet Airway's counter before heading for the moneychangers in Saidapet. I called on Mr. Amman Satyanathan, a staunch devotee of Saint Raghavendra at Triplicane to collect herbs for my brother-in-law. I started my pilgrimage with a prayer at Saint Ragavendra's Brindavan opposite Amman Satyanathan's bookshop.

I had lunch at Hotel Saravanabhavan and l left for Tiru Annamalai at 1.20 pm.

Melmaruvathur Athi Parasakthi Temple

I stopped at Melmaruvathur Athi Parasakthi temple. This is the second time I am here. There was hardly any crowd this time around and I had the Goddess all to myself.

I reached the outskirts of Tiru Annamalai at 5 pm. I had the first view of 'the hill' here. I went looking around for Supramania Swami's hermitage (kudil) that we helped build, but without success. Eventually, I decided to call Swami's son Ramajayam over to Yogi Ramsuratkumar's (Visiri Swami) ashram and have me taken to the kudil.

Visiri Swami's Samadhi And Ashram

Leaving Prem to contact Ramajayam I entered the temple complex. Prayer was in progress. A small group of devotees was singing the Yogi's name (naamam) and going around his samadhi. I joined them. I was given prasadham. I took some and fed a dog that stood to look at me.

Ramajayam was already waiting as I came out of the ashram grounds. We hugged each other. He took me to Swami's kudil. We stopped the car a short distance from the kudil as the lane had narrowed down not permitting us to drive through. I hopped onto Ramajayam's motorcycle. I saw the building that I had helped put up for Swami for the first time. It was thirty feet by eleven feet built on a small plot of land thirty feet by sixty feet. Swami's wife greeted me at the door front. As I stepped into the kudil, Swami came out of the prayer room. I handed Swami the offering of flowers and fruits that I had brought and fell at his feet. Swami picked me up and ushered me into the prayer room. He handed over a dhoti (kaavi) to adorn and had me sit on a carpet. Ramajayam tells me Swami was waiting since morning for my arrival with excitement.

Swami told me he had closed up the window that was directly opposite his bed in the living area of his kudil, because he could not see the hill, as it was too fiery (ahnal malai).

Prayers With Supramania Swami

I was taken to a vacant house a short distance away from where I refreshed myself. Swami offered me to stay at this house but I chose to stay at the kudil with him. Later that night at 7.30pm, Swami lead me on a prayer. He started chanting the Yogi's name (Nama japam). The chanting went as follows - Yogi Ramsuratkumara, Yogi Ramsuratkumara, Yogi Ramsuratkumara, Jayagururaaya. I followed suit.

After about a few minutes into the recitation, I heard a third voice - that of a male chanting together. I could hear Swami's voice. I could hear mine too. There was no one else in the kudil. His wife and son had gone out. So who was this third-person chanting with us? I did not open my eyes. Eventually, after about twenty minutes, Swami ended the japam and the voice was not heard again. I had wanted to ask him about this third voice but completely forgot.

I asked Swami to narrate his life history because the first time I met him, I had only spent five hours in his company, where he was only talking about me. Swami narrated briefly his story, aided by his wife. His wife and granddaughter were already asleep as we talked into the early hours of the morning. They had stayed back at the kudil while Ramajayam went back to the village that night. Swami and I talked till 2.30 am.

Day 2 Girivalam - A Second Time

On 17th Sept 2005, I woke up at 5 am. It was the first Saturday of Puratasi Sani. Swami asked that we go to Lord Sri Ranganathar temple in Tiruveragam that morning but he asked to delay the journey and told me we should leave at 10.30am after Rahu Kaalam. I thought I should read my Nadi to Swami while waiting since he was the first guru I had met. I thought he should know what was in store for me. And what better way to indicate to him, that Tavayogi was to be my guru too according to the Nadi. Swami was excited when I talked about Agathiyar and the Nadi. He listened attentively. After listening to the Nadi reading Swami mentioned to me the reason he had asked that we delay the trip to the temple. He had wanted me to share this reading, he said (Un vayaaleh varanum yenbatharkuthan, ethargaga than erunthuthu pohvohm yendren). Swami was so excited he too wanted to see his Nadi. I gave him Nadi reader, Ramesh's contact number.

That is when he narrates to me the incident that took place early that morning after I had gone to sleep. A woman and a child came into the kudil and were seated beside me as I slept through the early morning hours. Swami was watching from his bed and listening to their conversation. The woman was dressed in a rainbow-colored saree and was carrying a feeding bottle also of the same color. Then the child told the woman, "Let's see if the light vessel (agal vilakku) in the altar has sufficient oil" and lead her to the adjacent prayer room. They did not come out of the room for a long time. On inspecting the room Swami realized they had vanished. Swami cried as he mentioned this incident.

This peculiar visitation by the "lady" in a rainbow-colored saree took place a couple of times, later in 2016 at the Sri Agasthiyar Kumbamunivar Sannathi in Kumbakonam and also at Korakkar's samadhi temple at Vadukupoigainallur of Nagapattinam district. More on that later.

Tiruveragam Sri Ranganathar Temple

I told Swami I would like to take him along on my pilgrimage and he agreed to follow. We left for Tiruveragam Sri Ranganathar Temple, a 500-year-old temple near Swami's village of Nacha Ananthal. I noticed the few kilometers that we drove to Sri Ranganathar temple that morning had taken its toll on him. I had requested Swami to follow me on my pilgrimage but then I had doubts now whether it was a good idea. He was not in good health to travel such vast distances. Ramajayam too mentioned that Swami had recently returned from a trip to Palani only to be bedridden later. So I told Swami on the way back that I would go alone to which Swami agreed and added that he did not want to hinder my trip in any way in the event he falls ill along the way. "Would you attend to your pilgrimage or take care of me?", he added (Nee un payanaththai paarpaaya, ennai kavanipaayah?).

My Second Girivalam

It was a full moon day and I had planned to go around the hill with Swami but he was not fit. He asked that Ramajayam accompany me. I wore a 'dhoti' and had a 'tundu' wrapped over my shoulders. I got the blessings of Swami and his wife before I started on the girivalam from Swami's kudil at 6.40 pm. Swami asked that I go to the Yogi's ashram first before joining the girivalam path. I prayed at the Yogi's shrine. I went in and out of all the temples and ashrams lined throughout the girivalam route. At 1.40 am I was in front of the main temple. It was closed. I then started back to the kudil. I finished the girivalam after having taken six hours to cover 14 km.

Day 3 Meeting Up With Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal in Kallaru

It is the next day now, 18th Sept 2005 and I am back at the kudil at 2 in the morning. Swami and his wife were waiting for Ramajayam and me to return from the girivalam. I woke up at 5 am and l left for Kallaru at 7.40 am. Before parting, Swami gave me saffron (kungumapoo) and a blanket to use in Kallar. He prayed for my save journey. We hugged each other as I bid farewell.

Prem and I reached Salem at 11.15am. I called my wife back home from Salem when we stopped over for lunch at 12noon. I called Tavayogi too to inform him I was coming over. I reached Mettupalayam at 3pm where I bought fruits and flowers as offerings to Agathiyar and Tavayogi. I reached Turipalam at 3.30pm. Tavayogi had sent out his aids and disciples to this small town that was located at the 9th km along the route from Mettupalayam to Ooty. Some of his devotees had stayed back after the recent Pornami pooja. These devotees come down to his Peedham just before the full moon to hold prayers and helped out with the feeding of the poor (annadhaanam).

Later I came to know from them that Tavayogi had sent word about my arrival and asked his disciples in Chennai and Tiru Annamalai to offer all the assistance possible. They had been waiting for me too. Tavayogi was waiting for my arrival at his ashram steps. He greeted me just as a father would have received his son. He hugged me. He pulled up a couple of chairs and offered me some fruit.

Tavayogi asked if I would like to take a dip in the river or whether I would like to take a bath in the shed that was constructed at the Peedham grounds. I opted for the river. We came down a flight of steps onto a railway line serving Mettupalayam and Ooty. After some distance, we stepped onto a path that took us down to a river. On returning to his ashram Tavayogi lead us on a prayer and meditation.

That night we set off to the wholesale market at Mettupalayam. I was told Methupalayam was where greens produce from the Ooty and Nilagiri hills where sold to retailers and dispensed throughout India.

When we returned, Mr. Nadaraja, Tavayogi's faithful aid had already prepared dinner of idli and sambar. As the ashram did not have electricity, Tavayogi and I chat under the luminosity of gaslight for a while before retiring to bed at 8.15pm. He gave me the option of whether I wanted to spend the night in the prayer room where he sleeps or with the others in the shed. I chose to rough it out in the shed rather than intrude into his privacy. 

Day 4 In The Midst Of The Siddhars

19th Sept 2005 - I woke up at 4.40am. Nadarajah was sound asleep on the concrete bench outside the Peedham as if standing guard over Tavayogi. I sat down and tried to meditate in the morning hours. Eventually, one by one each disciple woke up. Tavayogi and I were served milk. Tavayogi invited me along on his usual morning walks and bath at the river. He passed me his shawl to cover my body as it would be cold. We walked along the railway line before passing a small village and then on to the Ooty-Mettupalayam road. We walked up until the Forest Rangers posts and returned back to the ashram. We then collected our clothing and headed for the river for our morning bath.

After washing our clothes in the river and having our bath, Tavayogi decided that we take another route back to the Peedham. He went back across the river for my sandals even though I told him I shall get them myself. Along the way back, Tavayogi showed the spot on the riverbanks where elephants had come for a drink. The tracks were still fresh on the riverbank. It seems these animals only come out into the open on hot days for a drink; otherwise, during the monsoon periods, they hardly venture out from the interiors.

On the way back from the walk Tavayogi showed me an inscription on a pedestal (kalvethu) with the words Agathiyar Vanam on it. Tavayogi apparently was told in his nadi he had to set up his ashram at a spot (Agathiyar Vanam in Kallar) where he would find this inscription. He has since then been in Kallar for the past five years. The tribal people (Athi vaasi) settled here later. The Indian Government was in the process of building homes for theses aborigines beside the Peedham.

Prayers at Tavayogi's ashram were simple. Tavayogi lighted camphor (sudam) and started singing a couple of Siddha songs followed by the rests of the disciples singing the 'Siddha pohtri' hymns. After prayers and breakfast of idli and sambar, Tavayogi asked if I wanted to go to Ooty or Shivan Malai - the option was mine. I chose Shivan Malai.

Later in private, I showed Tavayogi my written copy of the Nadi. He pondered on the places that I had to go as mentioned in the Nadi. He said, "We shall think about it" (naam yoshipom).

Shivan Malai And Shivavakiyar's Cave

We left for Shivan Malai in Kangayam at 10am, passing through Tavayogi's hometown of Tirupur. An elderly man who had come for the Pornami prayers and had stayed back wanted to follow us. We reached Shivan Malai and had Lord Murugan's 'darisanam'. Sage Shivavakiyar had meditated here on this hill and temple and later disappeared into an adjacent cave. The temple authorities had sealed off the cave. We sat at the entrance to this cave and meditated. As we came around the temple, a strong wind blew. We left Shivan Malai at 1.45pm.

We passed Vathamalai Vinayagar temple. Coimbatore district has lots of Murugan temples built almost on every hillock available. Tavayogi told me Pothigai, Kutrallam, Kallar, and Sathuragiri were places where Sage Agathiyar had roamed. We stopped for lunch at Kangayam.

Uthiyur And Sage Konganar's Cave

We came to Uthiyur where we walked up a flight of stairs to a deserted Murugan temple and then crossed the hills and undergrowth terrain to the cave where Sage Konganar had meditated. Tavayogi told me Sage Konganar was the sage who installed the Tirupathi Murugan deity. Strong winds blew as we scaled the mountain on our way to Konganar's cave with Tavayogi saying, "Right, right we are coming" (Sari, sari vanthu kondirukhom) and turning around to me he added, "THEY are inviting us" (Avanga nammai varaverkiraanga). 

There was an opening to a cave inside a huge boulder. There were a few compartments. We sat inside the cave that was occupied earlier by Tavayogi when he was roaming India in search of answers. Tavayogi broke down in tears as he started to sing some songs on Sage Agathiyar at this cave. Then Tavayogi took me to the adjacent cave where Sage Konganar had sat in meditation. We entered a small opening to reach the cave. Here as elsewhere, Tavayogi sang a couple of songs on Sage Agathiyar. He then asked us to recite the names of the Siddhas (Sidhar Potri). As the elderly man was well versed in these hymns he was rushing through the lists of names. As I could not keep up with him, I settled down to close my eyes and try meditating instead. Upon opening my eyes I saw Tavayogi holding out some vibhuti in a piece of paper in front of me. He applied the vibhuti on my forehead and that of the older man and gave us some to take back with us. After a session of taking photographs, we prepared to leave. That's when I asked Tavayogi as to why he left the remaining portion of the sacred ash behind. He questioned me if I had brought it along. I answered in the negative. We both looked at the elderly man who accompanied us from the Peedham. He answered he did not bring it along. Then Tavayogi explained, "The Siddhars had come - THEY had blessed us, showered flowers on us. THEY were happy" (Yelorum vantirunthanga, valthunaanga, malar tuvunange, anadham adainthargal. Vibhutiyai alithargal). We started on the trail back into town and boarded the car towards our next destination.

Chennimalai And Sage Punakeeswarar's Cave

Chennimalai is where the samadhi of Punakeeswarar is situated. We passed through the temple grounds to reach the samadhi. The samadhi was on top of a hillock. There was a small opening in the rock. It was pitch dark inside. Tavayogi tried to enter but could not fit into it. He then decided we would sit outside the cave and meditate. I understand the Kanda Shasti Kavacham was first offered to the world in this temple by Balan Devaraya Swamigal. On the way down the hill, we had to come around the temple as the temple was closed for the day. The sun had already set as I returned in joy after having seen the world of the Siddhars, thanks to Tavayogi.

On the way back we stopped at a Mariamman Temple near Methupalayam where Tavayogi had sought shelter when he lost his eyesight earlier. The temple was closed. This temple was famous because the Goddess here has cured devotees who had lost their eyesight including Tavayogi.

Day 5 Meeting Other Swamis

20th Sept 2005 - Tavayogi suggested we go to Ooty to drop in on some of the local living saints. With Mr. Suresh from Tiru Annamalai, who was at the Peedham for the Pornami festivities, we went looking for one Mr. Mani to take us to see these saints. Eventually, we picked up Mr. Mani and his son-in-law too and headed for Satgurunathar's cave and ashram on the face of a cliff just along the Ooty Mettupalayam trunk road. I was told Sage Agathiyar himself had blessed Sargurunathar. After his demise, one Ramasamy Swami had taken over the running of the ashram and done much charity in and around Ooty. At a clinic that Ramasamy Swami had built to serve, the locals was a pedestal on which was inscribed the words Agathiyar Vanam, that Tavayogi pointed out to me.

On Ramasamy Swami's demise last month, his disciple Suyam Jhoti Swami was now leading this organization. His ashram was in the slopes of Nilagiri Hills in Ooty in a place called Kaasnadi. We dropped in on him too. We had lunch with Suyam Jhoti Swami at his ashram. His disciples served us food. We were served simple food rice and a bowl of soup (rasam) cooked with lots of grains and nuts. Tavayogi and he were engaged in long conservation about their movements. Suyam Jhoti Swami took us to the prayer room and blessed us. The Swami gave us some books on songs about his paramaguru written by him.

Then Mr. Mani took us to a Mariamman temple in the middle of a field. The priests here conducted prayers, questioned us a lot, talked on his temple and festivities, and blessed me and our entourage, even Tavayogi, by applying kungumam on our foreheads. His aids served us some bites. 

The last stop was to one Dayananda Swami who lived alone in his ashram in the woods in Ooty. A volunteer cum caretaker informed the Swami of our arrival. Saint Adi Sankara's portrait greeted us in the hall of this house as we were lead into a room where the swami was cuddled on a bed in a corner of the room. He adorned a woolen cap on his head, a woolen shawl around his neck and a blanket wrapped tightly around his fragile body exposing only his feet to us. He asked lots of questions to Tavayogi and also talked about Ooty - past, and present. He told me he was going to leave the world and I shall see him as a star in the sky, the next time I come around. Initially, this saint did not allow me to photograph him but as we were having this conversation with him he eventually told me I could snap a picture or two. We were served tea, which brought relief in this cold weather.

Tavayogi wanted to pay a return visit to a Swami who had paid him a visit at his ashram in Kallar earlier, but as it was a cold and wet night out in the hills of Ooty and as it was already late he decided to head back to the Peedham. Strong winds and drizzle prevailed throughout our journey back. On the way back Tavayogi explained to me the spiritual states of each of the swamis we met.

Day 6 A Day In The Life Of An Ashramite

21st Sept 2005 - It was in Kallar that I saw the moon extremely big and close with a very wide radiant circle around it. It was extremely beautiful. During the time I was in Kallar, I used to wake up each morning at 4am and tried to meditate until sun break which occurs early in India, around 5am. There was a noise that woke me up in the early hours one morning. Upon lying in bed and paying attention to it, it sounded like the walk of a heavily built person with a walking stick. I was not sure what it was. I narrated to Tavayogi that I heard sounds in the night. He, in turn, narrated stories where elephants used to walk right up to the Peedham and stand in the bushes; a leopard having come into the Peedham grounds and killed a dog that was tied up, and numerous other occasions where snakes were spotted in the premises. I used to see at least two crows every day I was at the Peedham.

I took it upon myself as a chore to pick flowers for the morning prayer. I spent the day at the ashram with Tavayogi, Mr. Vimalan, Mr. Suresh, and Mr. Nadaraja where I did some reading besides chatting with these folks. Tavayogi was with the local aborigines and a local village headman sorting out the allocation of the housing for the locals that the government was building adjacent to the Peedham.

Tavayogi told me the anxiety he had to go through trying to put up the Aaru Aataare Peedham. The Peedham was fashioned based on exact measurements and guidance given by Sage Agathiyar to Tavayogi. It was one massive piece of granite weighing 1,250kg that was cut into seven number of receding steps. It was made out of a solid piece of granite elsewhere and then transported by lorry to the foot of the small hillock where the ashram was perched on. The Peedham had to be carried across the railway lines that were running from Coimbatore to Ooty passing the small village of Kallar. When he was lost for ideas trying to bring the Peedham, all the way up the small hillock over the railway lines, Sage Agathiyar sends someone with an elephant to pull it up the hill slopes.

Tavayogi spoke about his paramaguru Jaganatha Swami, and his immediate guru Chitramuthu Adigal both of whom followed Saint Ramalingam's teaching. As I was sitting at the ashram I had a thought that since tomorrow being a Thursday, an auspicious day for Guru worship, I wanted Tavayogi to carry out a special prayer for Sage Agathiyar followed by serving food for the locals. I mentioned this wish (yennam) to Tavayogi and Mr. Nadaraja who were overjoyed.

In the evening we went downtown to purchase groceries and vegetables for the next day's feast (anadhaanam). Later that evening Tavayogi brought out bundles of Nadi that were in his possession, some passed on to him since his name had appeared in them. There were of various sizes, some with very fine writings and some with big writings. He also showed me and read to me some transcriptions of the Nadi written in notebooks and from religious books. He passed me the Nadi on his daughter. In it, Sage Agathiyar consoles his daughter who was saddened since Tavayogi had left the family to become a monk (Turavi).

Then Mr. Vimalan came over to me and whispered close to my ears that Mr. Suresh and Mr. Mani's son-in-law were waiting at the village below and wondered if I would like to follow them into the town of Mettupalayam. I excused myself from Tavayogi who did not stop me nor question me. I dressed up and we headed for Methupalayam with Prem behind the wheels. Only in the car did they mention they wanted to go to the famed Keel Tirupathi Temple on the outskirts of town. This temple was a miniature of the Tirumalai Tirupathi Temple in Andra. It was privately owned and stood in the middle of a mill. It was beautiful and well maintained. Vimalan had to leave his cell phone with security. Once inside the temple, my new found friends wanted to wait it out until the closing time where God and Goddess are put to sleep.

When we came back to the ashram, Tavayogi was waiting up for us. Upon seeing the car he sent Mr. Nadaraja down with a torch. Mr. Nadaraja passed the torch without saying a word and went down to the village. Tavayogi asked me why we were late. I told him we went to a temple. He asked why we did not call him. Mr. Vimalan replied he had surrendered the phone with the security. Tavayogi told us Mr. Nadaraja had prepared dinner and had waited on us. "The food was now cold. Help yourself" he said. He watched us as we ate in silence feeling guilty for staying out late and not informing him. I could envision him as a father who was worried sick and nervously plying the room waiting for news of his children and looking out for signs of a car approaching with his children returning home. 

Day 7 A Day Of Doing Charity

22nd Sept 2005 Mr. Suresh and Mr. Vimalan cooked the food with some assistance and supervision from Mr. Nadaraja. Word was passed on to the villagers that prayers would be conducted and food would be served. Tavayogi conducted the special prayers at exactly 11am followed by serving food to the local adults and children at noon.

After the event, Mr. Nadaraja out of the blues commented that today's 'anadhaanam' was even greater (sirapaana anadhaanam) than the usual feeding done on full moon days (Pornami Anadhaanam). He added that today was also auspicious because it was Kritigai, a special day for Lord Murugan. Later Tavayogi tells me it was not Mr. Nadaraja that had made the statement ( Athu Nadarajah pesugirar endru ninaikirengalah magane?). He indicated that the Siddhas were communicating through Mr. Nadaraja and THEY were happy. I did ask Tavayogi if the Siddhas were present at the altar in the ashram to receive our prayer and offerings as they usually did according to Tavayogi. Tavayogi questioned me back, "What! Do you think they are not around?" (Nee yenna avenge illainu ninaikiraayaah?) since he must have thought I doubted their presence by asking each time if they were around, at the ashram, in the caves and at the samadhi that we visited.

That night Tavayogi and I sat done to plan over journey according to Sage Agathiyar's Aasi Kaandam. My brother Kathi, a journalist, was also in India having just arrived on September 17th for a convention and visit to farms reporting on Agriculture and the various methods of farming adopted in India. He was with a few other journalists and some farmers from Malaysia. We made arrangements to meet him in Trichy the next day.

Day 8 The Actual Journey Begins

23rd Sept 2005 - "Only now our true mission has begun" (Eni thaan namma payanam tuvangukirathu), said Tavayogi with a big grin on his face and a twinkle in his eyes, as we left on the second leg of our tour to Vedharanyam, Pothigai, Courtallam, and Palani which were mentioned in my Nadi. He was as excited as I was too. We reached Trichy at 2pm where we had lunch. Then we went over to the hotel where my brother was staying. Tavayogi excused himself to visit his friend in Trichy while my brother and I went to a book fair. Tavayogi returned shortly to the hotel. Mr. Subarao, Mr. Mano and others who accompanied my brother to India met Tavayogi and exchanged some views. Tavayogi and I wanted to find accommodation in the same hotel but we were told all the rooms were taken up. On the way to the adjacent hotel, the local organizer of the seminar insisted that he would make arrangements for all of us to stay in the same hotel. Eventually, we stayed in the same room with Kathi with some adjustments in the sleeping arrangements. That evening we watched a classical dance show organized for the Malaysian entourage.

Day 9 Sage Agathiyar Welcomes Us At Agastiyampalli

24th Sept 2005 - At 6.00am Tavayogi and I left Trichy for Vedharanyam. We stopped over at Tanjore at 7.30am for breakfast. We saw the salt lakes where Mohandas K Gandhi had carried out his famous salt walk. We also saw the places where the tsunami wave had hit on 26th December 2004.

We reached Agastiyampalli, Vedharanyam at 10.30am. A priest was seated with two people at the tower to the temple or Rajakoburam. On seeing us alight from the car he came forward to usher us into the temple grounds. He took us straight to Sage Agathiyar's shrine (Sannadhi). Now why did he do that? He then showed the flame (deepaarathanai). We took a seat here and Tavayogi started singing a hymn. The priests interrupted him and asked us to go around the main temple. He insisted we prayed at Lord Shiva's sannadhi first as he was going away to another temple to conduct prayers. Tavayogi looked at me and told me lets accommodate him (Yetho avasarapaduthugirar, vaa magane poi appuram varuvohm). We came round the temple grounds as he instructed and stepped into Shiva's shrine where he was waiting for us. He showed the 'arati'. He explained to me that this was the very temple where Sage Agathiyar pressed his thumb into the ground to balance the earth that had tilted due to Devas, Gods, and Goddesses converging in the Himalayas for Shiva-Parvathy's wedding.

After praying at Shiva's sannadhi we went back to Sage Agathiyar's sannadhi. Tavayogi picked up from where he left and I continued with the Potri songs. As I recited the pranavam Om at Sage Agathiyar's sannadhi I could hear and feel the pranavam reverberate and bounce off the granite walls. I felt a cool breeze sweep over me which brought much relief as I was sweating away. As I uttered the last line of the Potri song, OM MAA SIDDHARGALE POTRI I broke down in tears. I cried and cried. I asked Sage Agathiyar to open his eyes and see me, "Your son has come. Please open your eyes and see me"(Un mainthan vaithirukiren. Kann vilithu parr esa). HE did not respond. I shut my eyes as I wept. As I opened my eyes after some time, Tavayogi who was earlier seated opposite me was not there anymore. I turned my head towards the entrance. He was standing outside the temple.

Sage Agathiyar Opens His Eyes

I got up and as I approached Tavayogi, he ushered me to his side and told me, Sage Agathiyar had opened his eyes twice. He asked that I stand at the same spot he had stood. "Concentrate looking at HIS eyes", (Avar Kangalai Utru Parr) he said. "There is the aroma of sandalwood in the air", (Sandhanam Manakkirathu) he added. I peered at the granite statue of Sage Agathiyar but I could hardly make out HIS face much less see HIM open and close HIS eyes. The shrine was dark. I could sense Tavayogi's disappointment that I could not see Sage Agathiyar open HIS eyes. This I knew from the tone of his voice when he consoled me, "Never mind, son. Let's snap some photographs, shall we." (Parava illai magane, vaa padam pudipohma?)

I entered Sage Agathiyar's sannadhi again and was about to sit when Tavayogi motioned me to sit with Sage Agathiyar in the inner sanctum (Mulastaanam) itself saying, "Go in and sit at Sage Agathiyar's feet at the inner sanctum. He is our father. Who dares object?" (Ulluku poi utkaarrunge magane, avar naam appan thane, yaar ena solvathu?). That's when Tavayogi throws his shawl (tundu) over to me asking me to lay it on the floor to sit on (Ithai pothuthu utkarunge magane). 

As I laid his shawl and sat I glanced at Sage Agathiyar's face and what do I see? The Sage is observing me with an eye open. I looked hard not believing. Only a moment ago I had seen him with both eyes shut. The eyes were cut or engraved into the granite and I was pretty sure there were closed. I was overcome with joy seeing Sage Agathiyar look at me and I called out to Tavayogi, "Swami". Even before I could complete my sentence Tavayogi understood and told me, "Right!, Right!, He has seen you has he, Come!, come!, THEY will show you only for a moment." (Sari!, sari! parthutaaraa. Vaa!, vaa! Athu yellam konjam neram thaan kaathuvaargal). Even as I came out from his shrine the Sage was looking at me with one eye shut, grinning away. In the Nadi, Sage Agathiyar had promised that HE would look at me when I came here. I realized the vision was possible only with the help that I got from my guru Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal. Only after he had thrown his shawl over to me to sit on did this miracle take place.

It was drizzling having rained earlier as we left Agastiyampalli at 11.15am. Tavayogi tells me it has been ten years since he came here. On the way back I asked Tavayogi what was the meaning of the song by Ramalinga Adigal 'Aani pon ambalathil kanda tiru kaatchi yellam arputha kaachiyadi amma' and why the saint mentions 'Vanathil meethu mayil aade kanden mayil kuyil aachutadi'. Tavayogi's face immediately bloomed and he got excited. He immediately started singing that song saying he had set a different tune for it. He explained that all those paths, mountain, hall, stage (veethi, malai, maadam, koodam, medai) mentioned in the song was not external but depicted the various chakras in the body.

Back at Breehadeshwarar's Temple And Sage Karuvurar's Samadhi

We had lunch at Tanjore and proceeded to Breehadeshwarar temple at 3.00pm. As the temples in India are closed from 1.00pm to 4.00pm, Tavayogi took the opportunity to take a nap in front of the huge Nandi at the temple grounds while I went around to snap some photos of the temple. I walked up the flight of steps to Dhakshanaamurthi's sannadhi. Then I walked to the back of the temple grounds where Sage Karuvurar's samadhi was. The caretaker who was cleaning the lights (agal vilakku) got up from his job, called me in and lighted the camphor, showed the flame (karpura arti) and gave me the sacred ash (vibhuti prasadham). I came back to the spot Tavayogi was napping. He invited me to share the shawl that he had spread on the ground to lie down.

At 4.00pm when the temple doors were opened to the public, Tavayogi went straight to Karuvurar's samadhi. Now why did not he come here straight upon our arrival? The same man, left behind whatever he was doing, to light the camphor and showed the 'arati'. Tavayogi sat at the samadhi in meditation. I tried to meditate. Some pilgrims who had taken shelter away from the scorching sun at Karuvurar's samadhi were conversing loudly. The caretaker drove them away saying there were people meditating, referring to us, creating a peaceful environment for us to meditate.

As we came around the temple complex, Tavayogi must have sensed my yearning to see Lord Shiva. He told me to go ahead while he stood in the shade of the temple structure. I rushed up the flight of stairs to the inner sanctum of the temple where was house the largest Shiva lingam. I joined Tavayogi shortly and we left the temple complex.

Saraswathy Mahal

Tavayogi suggested taking me to the Saraswathy Mahal hoping to show me some old scripts (yedhu or Nadi) and collections of King Sarobhoji. It was 5.00pm as we got into the car and rushed to the museum before they closed it for the day. Tavayogi purchased a couple of tickets and we entered the museum. The palace of Sarobhoji Mannar was now converted into a museum that houses his vast collection of English books, portraits and old writings. Tavayogi was saddened that most of the writings were no more to be seen now.

We returned to Trichy where we shared the room with Kathi at his hotel. Tavayogi still insisted on sleeping on the floor but this time he accepted a blanket to be spread on the floor and a pillow under his head.

Day 10 Pothigai And Kutrallam

25th Sept 2005 - Kathi checked out of the hotel. His visit arranged by the organizers had ended and he was now free to follow us. Tavayogi, Kathi, and I left for Pothigai Hills at 6am. I sat in the front seat of the car with the driver giving an opportunity to Kathi to chat with Tavayogi. We had breakfast in Tanjore and lunch on arrival at Papanasam, Pothigai. We did not have good hotels nor choice of food in this small town, which caters to the needs of the holidaymakers taking a bath at the Agathiyar Falls and the many worshippers of an old Shiva temple. Then we proceeded to have a bath at the famed Sage Agathiyar Falls, which was now a tourist spot. This place was packed with holidaymakers, as it was a Sunday. Tavayogi and I washed our clothes here and laid them out to dry on the rocks.

Then we started our climb up a flight of stairs to a lake known as the Kalyana Theertam. On the way, we passed a house built into the cliffs where Krishnaveni Ammal was staying. She has been staying in solitude since coming up to this spot following a Siddhar when she was barely thirteen years of age and never went back. Tavayogi stopped to enquire if she was around only to be told that she was having her afternoon nap. Tavayogi told us we could try our luck on the way down.

Further up perched on a cliff was a Shiva temple. 

Kalyana Theertam

Here was a shrine (sannadhi) for Sage Agathiyar. Tavayogi meditated at this spot. Tavayogi tells us this was the spot were Sage Agathiyar had meditated and attained Mukti. Impressed by the talk that one can see Siddhas in light form in this spot, I requested Tavayogi that we could stay overnight to watch THEM but Tavayogi preferred to stay in the caves of Courtallam.

As we started on our way down and approached Krishnaveni Amma's ashram, the ashram door was still closed. Tavayogi did not want to disturb her and lead us away from there. Then we walked down to a large temple dedicated to Sage Agathiyar further down. We returned to Sage Agathiyar Falls where there is a large and old Shivan temple. It was closed. We waited for the temple to open at 4.00pm. We then left for Courtallam. We had tea at Courtallam and purchased a candle and torchlight as we were going to stay in the caves overnight.

Overnight In Sage Agathiyar's Cave

Tavayogi told us we should spend the night in Sage Agathiyar's cave. He stops at one of the numerous houses lined up in this small town and enquires about the caretaker of the caves. We are told she was at the temple in the hills. Prem drops us at the famed Courtallam picnic spot. I picked up my bag of clothes and we rushed to the caves on foot, as it was almost nightfall. Strong winds blew again as we hiked up the hill behind the Courtallam Falls. It was a 3km walk uphill to Sage Agathiyar's cave. We trod in the dark with Tavayogi leading the way with the aid of a torchlight. Suddenly Kathi slips and falls but picks himself up. He was not hurt. We continue the journey.

It was pitch dark as we reached the Shenbaga Devi Amman temple, which was in total darkness except for the 'deepam' inside Ambal's sannadhi. This Shenbaga Thevi Amman temple was where Maha Avatar Babaji had sat for days in meditation. His guru Sage Bhogar instructed him to go to the Pothigai hills to meet Sage Agathiyar. Babaji left Kadhirkaamam in Ceylon for the Pothigai Hills. Babaji adamantly went into penance (tapas) until Sage Agathiyar appeared in front of him. In "Babaji' Gita written by Yogi Ramaiah, we are told that Babaji tapped the temple authorities of the Kutralanathar temple at Papanasam some distance away, to build the shrine of Agathiyar and installed a statue for Babaji too on the exact spot where Babaji was initiated by Agathiyar.

Tavayogi calls out in the dark to some folks sleeping in the temple. He introduces himself and they seem to know him. He asked them to open up Sage Agathiyar's cave, which they obliged readily. A gentleman, Supramanian leads the way while we follow. The caretakers were three elderly women. Their brother Supramaniam who was out of town was the one who showed us to the cave. It was pitch dark and I could not make out the surroundings. We had to walk on the banks of a lake and could hear the roar of a waterfall nearby. He unlocked the grills to the cave. He lit the hurricane lamp and tidied the place so that it was conducive to spend the night and even prepared hot tea for us in the cave. The drink was a blessing in that cold weather.

There were a few statues including a statue of Sage Agathiyar, pictures and the stick (vaasikhol) that Sage Agathiyar used. This stick is placed under one's arms to retain the flow of the breath through a particular nostril. It aids in resting one's arm too while rolling the beads of the rosary during chants. Tavayogi told us there were even Sage Agathiyar's sandals (Paatha Ratchagai) but now was missing. The caretaker lady drops in to check if all was well and conducive for our night out in this cave. They then leave. The adjacent compartment of the cave which was empty except for a light (vilakku) was where Sage Agathiyar had meditated. We entered this chamber and seated ourselves. We were sad to notice that a portion of this cave has now become a store filled with pots and pans. Tavayogi was also saddened that the cave had now been named Avaiyaar's Guhai when in actuality it was Sage Agathiyar's cave. As usual, Tavayogi sang the songs which I have now become familiar with, followed by Kathi and me singing the Potri. Tavayogi then left us to continue with the potri and retired for the day. We joined him shortly. I locked up the grilled door to the cave entrance from inside. The cave although small and low and we could hardly stand up, cozy and warm again another blessing during the cold night. I laid a blanket on the ground and used my begs and clothing as a pillow. I was so exhausted that the moment I laid my head on the ground I dozed off. I did wake in the middle of the night and saw rats scattering and scurrying away in the crevices of the cave. I had a good night's sleep and was refreshed the next day.

Day 11 Roaming The Jungles Of Pothigai And Kutrallam

26th Sept 2005 - I woke up early as usual and came out of the cave to realize that we were at this cave that was adjacent to a huge waterfall and a lake. In the early morning sunlight, I could make out some movements in the surrounding jungles. I sat and watched the calm atmosphere. As the day dawned and there was more light, I noticed it was monkeys that had been perching on the cliffs and trees. Tavayogi and Kathi woke up too. Supramaniam and the caretaker lady turned up early to prepare tea for us. We bath at the falls under the watchful eyes of Tavayogi. He cautioned us to be careful as the rocks were slippery and asked that we hold on to the railings put up. I washed and dried my clothes AGAIN.

After drying my clothes I came up the steps to the cave. I was taken aback when I saw a man squatting at the entrance to the cave and having tea. He had long matted hair and was beaming a smile, inviting me in. I gestured Vanakam and I sat beside him and had my tea. He remains quiet as Tavayogi talked with the caretakers. This man then addressed me telling me he would be at the temple below and left (Naan kileh kovilil erupen). 

Sage Dhaksanamurthy's Cave

Then Tavayogi suggested we go over to Saint Dhakshanaamurthi's and Ramalinga Adigal's (Vallalar) cave too. Tavayogi asked me to get the blessings of the elderly women and give a small contribution to her which I did. She was beaming with a large smile. I gave some money to another lady too who accompanied her and of course to Mr. Supramaniam who made us tea. 

We came down the hill to Shenbaga Thevi Amman temple. I asked if we should pray to Ambal first but Tavayogi replied that we shall pray after coming back from the caves. Here I saw the sadhu again. He was at the temple all right just as he had promised. I told him I was going to the caves and asked if he would like to follow. He jumped from the platform he was perched on immediately and led the way to Lord Dhaksanamurthy's cave. He opened up the cave entrance for us. He lit the lamp inside the cave. We entered the cave which was large enough to allow us to stand. There were statues of Sage Agathiyar, his wife Lobamuthirai and Sage Visvamitra. The sadhu having lighted the place for us went out and sat on a rock outside the cave while we sat in meditation for a while. 

Ramalinga Adigal's (Arutprakasa Vallalar) Cave

The sadhu closed the grills to Lord Dhaksanamurthy's cave as we came out. Tavayogi then led us to Ramalinga Adigal's (Vallalar) cave The sadhu followed us a distance but eventually turned onto another track to leave us. I caught up with him to thank him and managed to give him some money, which he accepted gratefully and gave me a wink. I turned to join Tavayogi and Kathi who were already some distance ahead. Tavayogi left us at a spot to check out the route to Vallalar's cave. He reappeared from a different path and led us away from the spot. The entrance to Vallalar's cave was secured with metal grills too. Tavayogi told me it was locked. I tried to unlatch the grilled door. The latch gave way and I slid the grilled door aside quite easily. It was pitch dark inside. We had to light up the candle. The outer chamber was large enough to stand around. Tavayogi and I crawled into the inner chamber which was rather small. 

As we lighted the candle and sat there, I grasped Tavayogi's hand. Tears ran down my cheeks. I was grateful and appreciated Tavayogi for having guided me to these auspicious spots and places. I would not have seen and experienced this much if I had undertaken this journey alone. We closed the grill to the caves and headed back for Sage Agathiyar's cave to get dressed and leave Courtallam.

We prayed at the Shenbaga Thevi Amman Temple on our way back. We bid farewell to all the caretakers who had gathered at the temple. Here again, Tavayogi insisted on carrying the wet cloths that I had bundled up. I carried my beg. We started down the mountain to the spot Prem dropped us yesterday. Prem had been worried sick having no idea about our whereabouts in the jungles of Kutrallam. He had been calling Tavayogi on the cell phone but there was no signal in the mountains. He was relieved to see me as he was answerable to his agency on my safety and well being. We then started on our journey to Palani.

Sage Agathiyar Opens His Eyes Again

Before we left Courtallam Tavayogi took us to a Shivan temple, Lord Kutralanathar in town. We walked through rows of shops selling all kinds of souvenirs, and foodstuffs before arriving at the temple. At the Shiva temple was a shrine for Sage Agathiyar, just behind the Sakti Peedham in the outer precincts of the temple. In "Babaji' Gita written by Yogi Ramaiah, we are told that Babaji tapped the temple authorities who built the shrine of Agathiyar and installed a statue for Babaji too. This shrine was built on the exact spot where Babaji was initiated by Agathiyar, writes the Yogi.

Tavayogi mentioned an incident that took place at this spot during his journeys in search of answers. Tavayogi then was at Sage Agathiyar's shrine. He heard someone singing and could not resists wanting to know the source of a song that was coming his way. He met Somasundareswarar Swami at this temple. Somasundareswarar was standing at a shrine of a Lord Shiva, singing hymns. Subsequently, Tavayogi met up with Somasundareswarar often at Shenbaga Amman temple and Sage Agathiyar's cave and the surrounding caves, which were maintained by this Swami until his demise.

We sat at Sage Agathiyar's shrine and Tavayogi started singing. Tavayogi and Kathi were seated to my right. There was a pillar that obstructed my view of them. Tavayogi broke down as he sang Ramalinga Adigal 'Indru varumoh naalaiku varumoh allathu mathendru varumoh'. That's when I thought I saw Sage Agathiyar open and shut both his eyes. I got up to move closer, to get a better view and to confirm what I had seen. True enough there was Sage Agathiyar opening and closing both his eyes, which were human-like. Back at Agastiyampalli, the sculptured granite figure of the sage had both eyes sculptured closed initially. But as I left his shrine his left eye was wide open watching me. Here at Courtallam, it was human eyes that were watching me. I stood still, amazed, my sight fixed on Sage Agathiyar's eyes. A moment later I called Kathi over to have a look too. I pointed out to him each time the sage opened and closed his eyes.  But Kathi was silent, just as I did at Agasthiyamalli back then. That's when Tavayogi called out to us saying, "You have seen, have you? Come, come, let's leave." (Paarthuthingaleh, vanga pohvohm).

Chitra Sabai And Lord Nadaraja

We then drove to another temple known as Chitra Sabai. Here no prayer is done. It was sort of an exhibition center with paintings done hundreds of years ago with paint derived from plants. The paintings were truly astonishing. The temple structure was in timber and had a copper roof. It was deserted except for a couple of tourists and a caretaker. I understand this is one of five 'sabai' or assemblies for the Lord Nadarajah. 

Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple

We left Courtallam for Madurai at 11.30am. We had lunch at Rajapalayam. We reached the famed Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple at 3.00pm. Tavayogi only agreed to visit this temple on my insistence since he was not too keen to stopover. The last time I came to India in 2003, I turned back after Palani and did not venture further south. As this temple was on the route back to Palani and Kallar, I convinced Tavayogi that I wanted to see it. Finally, after much persuasion, Tavayogi consented. As the temple was closed we decided to spend the time viewing the exhibits at the 1,000-pillared hall. We met the Nadi reader, Mr. Ramesh, by a coincidence, here. He had accompanied two men from Klang, Malaysia to fulfill their parikaaram. We had darshan of Ambal when the temple was opened to the public at 4.00pm. We were allowed in a small group of five or six people at a time. Once in front of the goddess we were asked to sit down. We had a darshan of Madurai Meenakshi. At 5.10pm we left Madurai Meenatchi Amman temple for Palani.

It was nightfall when we checked in at a hotel in Palani. Tavayogi told us we should climb Palani Hill first thing in the morning. When Kathi said we could get a larger room or more beds he refused asking us not to waste money. He again insisted on sleeping on the floor while Kathi and I shared a bed. 

Day 12 Palani Amazes Me Again

This was the second time I was invited to Palani by Sage Agathiyar through the Nadi. At 5.00 in the morning, we started for the Palani temple. The streets were quiet. The shops were still closed. We walked from the hotel in town to the temple on the hillock. We had to wait in the queue, as the temple was not open. At 6.00am we were allowed to enter. We made our way through passages created by placing barricades by the temple authority. There was no way one could stray away to other parts of the temple. We stood in front of Palani Andavar and offered our prayers. Even now I still cannot recall what I saw here just as I cannot recall the first time I was in this temple in 2003.

Then we went down some steps to the open and crossed over to a separate shrine that housed Sage Bhogar's samadhi. Now I could confirm this was definitely not the route I took to Sage Bhogar's samadhi in 2003. In my earlier visit, I was lead through a passage from Palani Andavar's shrine to Sage Bhogar's shrine. There was no necessity to go into the open air. The samadhi walls now were beautifully painted with murals depicting episodes from Bhogar's life in colorful. In 2003 there were no paintings on the wall.

Tavayogi chose a corner at the corridor outside the samadhi where we all sat. He went into meditation while I wept in silence. Then as I opened my eyes I saw Kathi was in tears too. Tavayogi came out of meditation. We entered Sage Bhogar's samadhi proper. There were four temple priests when we stepped into the chamber. One of them showed the arati in front of Bogar's samadhi. There were the Maragatha Lingam and another figurine of Goddess Bhuvaneswari that Sage Bhogar had worshipped, placed on a dais. The priests then pointed out the opening where Sage Bhogar had entered and is still believed to be in samadhi. He narrated the history of the temple to Tavayogi and Kathi. I cried for no reason or was it maybe for reasons beyond my understanding. After gaining control of myself, I moved to a spot in the room to sit for a while as the three priests continued filling in Tavayogi and Kathi on the history of the temple. The fourth priests much younger then the rests was standing in attendance observing me and the others, not uttering a word.

As we came out of this room, this particular priests intercepted us at the corridor. He passed a tumbler that he was holding to Tavayogi who was in front, saying, "Abhisega Paal". I said, "My god it was happening again. I am being given the abhisega paal again." I was given once in 2003. Tavayogi drank a portion and passed the tumbler to Kathi who was behind him. Kathi drank some and gave it to me. I emptied the tumbler and gratefully handed it over to the priest who looked pleased. Surprisingly no one questioned him nor did we talk about receiving it, amongst ourselves.

We left Sage Bhogar's chambers. As we came down a couple of steps into the open again, I approached Tavayogi in bliss. Tears quelled in my eyes. Tavayogi turned around and questioned, "What is it, my son" (Yenna Magane). He had this twinkle in his eyes and gave me a broad smile. I moved close to him and placed my head on his chest. I appreciated what I received back there. I did not say a word as we walked around the temple grounds. We left the temple premises, stopped over at the shops lined up along the road to the hotel to get a couple of paintings of gods and goddesses for my friend. We checked out of the hotel.

Marudamalai And Pampatti Sidhar's Cave

On the way back to Kallar, Tavayogi took us to Marudamalai Murugan temple where Pampatti Siddhar had meditated at an adjacent cave. We had to leave the car behind at the base of the hill because renovation works were being done in and around the hill temple. We hopped onto a bus that took us to the top of the hill. This was my first ride on a bus in India. We stood all the way to the top. We had a quick view (Darisanam) of Lord Murugan. The temple priests brought two garlands of flowers and placed around Tavayogi and Kathi. Tavayogi removed his garland and placed it around my neck. We removed the garland and handed it over to some female tourists. We then walked down a flight of steps to the cave of Pampatti Siddhar. Here the temple priests explained to us about Pampatti Siddhar and his penance (tavam) at this spot. We sat for a while. Tavayogi meditated. Some of the devotees and the tourists come over to Tavayogi for 'vibhuti prasadham'. This was the first time I saw the Indian public approach Tavayogi for his blessings in public. We took the bus back down the hill. We had lunch at Coimbatore before we left for Kallar at 3.30pm.

Back To Kallaru

As I was coming to the end of my tour I realized I needed something more than the sights and sounds that were shown to me. I pondered a lot on the way back to Kallar about this fabulous tour of religious spots and places. I was extremely pleased and blessed to have Tavayogi escort and show us around. A lot of miracles had taken place since I was here in India on my second trip. It should not be a mere tour of pilgrimage spots. I needed something more; that I could take back with me besides these memories. What next after I reach Malaysia? Yes, it was fine for me to return to Malaysia and tell my family and friends that Sage Agathiyar had opened his eyes to see me and I had seen and heard other miracles. I could talk about them for some time but eventually, talk would have to end too. What next? Do I go back to my routine life? 

So I told Tavayogi, as we had tea, on our way back to Kallar after visiting Marudamalai, "I did not want this trip of mine to end just like another tour. I wanted something more out of this trip. Something that could bring me advancement in my spiritual path." (Entha payanam verum sutrulaavaatham amainthirakudathu. Naan valarunam. Atharku naan yenna seiyanum?). He looked at me for a moment and then replied I had to do lots of practice (neraiya payerchi seiyanum). He asked if I were chanting the mantra that was given to me at the Agathiyar Gnana Peedham back in Malaysia. I told him that I had received that moola mantra of Sage Agathiyar way back in November of 2004 and I have been chanting since then. Tavayogi asks from whom I received it. I mentioned how I got it from Astrologer and Siddha Practitioner Dr.Krishnan. Then Tavayogi tells me briefly there are other practices and mantras that need to be chanted and mentioned some of them. As Kathi came back from the washroom, our conversation on this matter ended there. Before returning to Malaysia, he called me up and gave me another teecha.

On arrival at the ashram in Kallar, we were greeted by Mrs. Sarojini. Mrs. Sarojini was from Tirupur, Tavayogi's hometown and a member of his Pati Mandram team. Tavayogi had asked her to come over to assist at the Peedham with the preparation of the food for tomorrow's event since Mr. Nadaraja had gone to Tiru Annamalai. She readily acknowledged Tavayogi. (Mrs. Sarojini became Mataji Sarojini and is currently running the ashram after Tavayogi's demise.)

Day 13 Another Day Of Doing Charity

This morning I went for a bath at the river with Tavayogi, Kathi and the local children while Mrs. Sarojini and a local woman prepared food to feed the locals, sponsored by Kathi. Back from the river, I cleaned and decorated the prayer room, which I took it upon myself to do as long as I was in Kallar. 

Mrs. Sarojini told us much has been said in her nadi about Tavayogi to which Tavayogi stopped her from revealing more. Later when she came into the cabin that was our lodge I asked her to continue on Tavayogi and the Nadi readings pertaining to him. She brought more transcriptions of the Nadi on Tavayogi, and from others on Tavayogi, all neatly written out in notebooks. She read to me the greatness of Tavayogi that was mentioned by the Siddhas. For instance, she told me it was stated in her nadi that she could achieve enlightenment (Mukti) by simply serving Tavayogi and practice some techniques of breathing which Tavayogi would teach her.

That afternoon we had a special prayer for Sage Agathiyar and the Siddhas followed by free food for the locals (annadhaanam).

Before returning to Malaysia, I visited Supramania Swami at Tiruvannamalai again and shared my adventure with him.

Nadi Reading 5 by Agathiyar - 20.12.2005

Agathiyar talks about my pilgrimage to India. He mentions Tavayogi. He asks that I continue prayers to the Siddhas. He reveals what took place at Papanasam, Courtalam, and Agasthiyampalli in Vedharanyam. He explains the reason for asking me to come over to India in haste.

Nadi Reading 6 by Agathiyar - 9.9.2006

He talks about Supramania Swami and reveals what took place at Tiruvannamalai. Agathiyar emphasizes Supramania Swami was the catalyst to ignite me and the reason for me to tread this path. He reminds me to hold him in my thought. Agathiyar talks about the prayers that I conducted and the pilgrimage with Tavayogi. Then he goes on to explain the reason to introduce Tavayogi. Agathiyar talks about the prayers back home. He reveals the reason for taking birth. Agathiyar asks that I stay on this path. He asks to continue the practices. Agathiyar reveals that one can remove his Karma through prayers. He reads my thoughts and mentions them immediately in the Nadi.

A JOURNAL OF MY JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY 1959 TO 2020 - PART 1

DISCOVERING THE SIDDHAS - JOURNEYING WITH AGATHIYAR 

I was raised in a family of seven siblings who were taught to respect the elders and to pray daily both at our altar at home and in the temples. In the eighties, years prior to my coming to Agathiyar, I had undertaken a rigorous daily routine of performing home puja both at dawn and dusk and added on a daily routine of temple visits and worship too. I began a search to know the unknown. I read numerous books and debated much with my senior colleagues before I was told to pull the plug and give myself a break, by Lord Shiva in a dream.

After 14 years of hibernation, Agathiyar shows me the Siddha path and invites me onto it. I began another search and sought societies and associations related to the Siddhas. I learned what I could from them and moved on to indulge in the worship of the Siddhas by myself in the confines of my home. Later guided by Gurus, Supramania Swami, and Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal and regular Aasi Nadi readings, both my life and my perspective of it began to change.

The following are the gist of my Nadi readings in brief over the years. This sharing is not to boost my ego or to make an impression or a statement that I and all those who came along with me on this journey are special in the eyes of the divine. We are neither special or are we the apple of the eye of Agathiyar. The idea of sharing them is to make known to readers how simple it is to get the grace of the Siddhas by way of worship to them. What was required of us was just attending to their worship; they took care of the rest, including our inner spiritual development and advancement and the family too. The Siddhas promised a better future and a silver lining, both in the materialistic and spiritual world and sense. Although I have seen through much of what has been revealed to date, there are many other revelations that have yet to take place. Only the future will tell.

THE JOURNEY UNFOLDS

The year was 1996. This was the period I had given up belief on astrology after those predictions did not work out for me as predicted. It was about this time that Sethu from my office who was frequenting an astrologer, Dr. Krishnan, spoke about astrology and his visits to the Dr. Having excited me on the precision and correctness of the Dr's predictions, I then made an appointment to see the Dr. The good Dr told me all was fine and good times are to begin. After that, I began to consult the Dr. regularly. But his predictions did not come true too. On one of these visits, I ask him if there was a possibility that whatever said in the charts might not work out for an individual and the Dr. replied that if one had been cursed then the benefits that the charts reveal might not materialize. When asked if he could look into my chart to see if there were any curses, he replied it is only possible to know through the reading of the Nadi. This was the very first time I was made aware of the existence of the Nadi. But I did not show any interest then to further my search for an answer as to why predictions by the Dr and others before him, did not work out in my favor. Neither did I seek out a Nadi reader and place my query at the feet of the Siddhas as pointed out by Dr. Krishnan. 

Nadi Reading 1 by Agathiyar - 14.12.2002

When my colleague Muralitharan Saminathan out of the blues, talked about his experience reading the Nadi (in 2000) to me in 2002, I recalled Dr. Krishnan’s advice. Hearing Muralitharan share his experience it kindled an interest in me to see my Nadi. It was amazing to know that the Siddhas could predict what was to happen in the future, as we are told that these writings were made a few centuries ago. They could also tell one’s past too, I was told. Muralitharan arranged for me to have a reading at Shivabalan’s house.

On 27 November 2002, Nadi Guru Senthilkumar, based on an impression of my thumb, picked 3 bundles of Nadi leaves from the many that he had in his possession, and we jointly began a tedious affair of trying to locate my Nadi through a series of question and answers related to my personality and events in my lifetime. Nearing the end of the third bundle, there was one that I thought was mine. My parent’s name, number of siblings, my career, and property were exact but the name of my wife was different. Senthilkumar quizzed me further, but we could not locate a reading that described me. I was asked to come back in two weeks' time since he told me that he had to respect an unwritten law of looking through a maximum of three numbers of bundles at any one particular sitting.

On 11 December 2002, going through the same pace and trend of questioning, we identified a relevant, appropriate, and corresponding Nadi in the very first bundle itself. I agreed it was mine. I was told to come back for the full reading of the Nadi another day.

On 14 December 2002, the actual reading of that particular Nadi took place. I was both apprehensive and eager not knowing what was in store for me. I sat in awe as the Nadi was read to me. Generally, the Pothu Kaandam, Karma Kaandam, and Shanthi Parikaara Kaandam or cantos are read for all seekers. The Pothu Kaandam mentioned about me, my family, my career, and what to expect until my last days. The Karma Kaandam spoke about my past birth. The Shanthi Parikaara Kaandam spoke about my need to worship the Siddhas, Lord Ganapati and Lord Shiva and listed out the respective remedies to reduce the evil effects of my past Karma. There was a Gnana Kaandam for me. The Gnana Kaandam is an option if we desire to know its content. I had this Kaandam read to me too. It dictated my spiritual path. I was asked to worship Lord Shiva, Lord Ganapati, Agathiyar, and the eighteen Siddhas. I had an invitation that day to come to the worship of Agathiyar and the Siddhas, which was new to me. The path I was to take was revealed to me that fateful day, through these amazing, mysterious and mystical Nadi! provided I choose to heed the advice and walk the path. And yes, I had the answers as to why my predictions from the horoscope did not materialize as said, matching with what Dr. Krishnan had told me in 1996.

Now having heard the contents of my Nadi revelation and been given a long list of remedies or ways and means of seeking atonement that included the worship of certain deities in specific temples and by way of distributing a portion of my earnings in the form of charity and donations in these places of worship, I took to doing it immediately on my home ground and began planning to go to India to carry out the rests of the remedies.

While traveling to India on my maiden trip in 2003, I began to keep an account of everything notable that took place during my journey. Hence began my documentation of my spiritual diary. I thought I should share my experiences and decided to post them on several platforms including http://www.indianheartbeat.20m.com/TravelsInIndia.html. Most of these websites are defunct now.

It was a rather detailed account of my journey.

MY MAIDEN PILGRIMAGE TO INDIA

I was asked to perform a pilgrimage to India by Sage Agathiyar in the Nadi reading in 2002. Prior to seeing the Nadi I had neither idea nor intention to go to India. I was to conduct prayers and obligations at Utamar temple, Palur Sani temple, and Tiru Anaikaa temple, all in Trichy according to Karma Parikaara Kaandam. I had to pray at the five elemental temples of Lord Siva, namely Kalahasti temple in Andhra Pradesh, Egambareswarar temple in Kanchipuram, Nadaraja temple in Chidambaram, Tiru Anaikaa temple in Trichy, and Arunachaleswarer temple, or Annamalaiyaar temple in Tiru Annamalai. I was instructed to go around the sacred hill of Tiru Annamalai during a full moon. I was also instructed to go to Lord Palani Murugan temple. This was stipulated in the Gnana Kaandam. 

Departure

I planned to go in December 2003 for the Kartigai Deepam but opted to go earlier, since the crowd would be tremendous during the Deepam festival. I finally left for India on the 31st of August 2003. I was in India from 31st August to 13th September 2003. I checked in at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 10.30 pm on 31st August 2003. The plane took off at 11.15 pm. Mr. Dhanu whom I became acquainted with onboard the plane sat beside me and kept me company by talking about his guru, Swami Ramachandra and his master's master (Paramaguru) and his (Ramachandra) mission in Chennai.

Arrival In Chennai 

On arrival at Meenambakkam Airport in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Mr. Devendran (Deva) - my appointed driver - was waiting on me. He tells me later that Mr. Raji was to fetch and accompany me throughout my journey in India but he had taken ill. Mr. Dhaksanamurthy (Murthy), my travel agent in Malaysia, was waiting for my arrival at the Sindoori Hotel in Chennai. He told me Vinayagar Chaturthi, the day I traveled to India, was an auspicious day to travel, as it was customary for Indians to plan travel on this Vinayagar Chaturthi day. This was not planned for.

Day 1 - Paying To See Lord Vengadasalapathy

I started the day having breakfast with Murthy opposite the hotel. After exchanging the currency I had brought, and dropping him off at the local bus depot at Egmore, I left for Tirumalai Tirupathi Vengadesa Perumaal temple in Tirupati, Andra Pradesh at 9.30 am. I reached the Andra Pradesh border at 12 noon. At the border, as Deva was getting the papers sorted at the security post to enter the state of Andra, a sadhu walked towards the car and stood by my open window. He began chanting Lord Murugan's name. I gave him some rupees, which he happily accepted and walked back to a tent some distance away. Further, up a small group of devotees stopped our car and asked for donations for Vinayagar Chathurthi celebrations. I gave them some rupees too. At the entrance to the foothill of the Tirupathi temple, security guards collected entrance fees before allowing us to drive up to the top of the hill temple. 

At 2.30 pm I was at the Varasidhi Vinayagar Temple Shrine at the foothills of Tirumalai. I reached the hilltop temple at 3.10 pm. I paid 1000 Rs for the special passes that Deva purchased to have a darshan of Tirupathi Vengadesa. What happens when you pay is that you cut the existing queue and waiting time. Yet I had to wait in a line for 1 ½ hrs before I had a view of Lord Vengadesa. I was told if you don't pay it could take days to see the Lord. Deva and I started queuing up at 3.30 pm and the Lord's audience was over at 5 pm. It was a beautiful darshan although only for a few moments. 

Kalahasti

I left for Kalahasti, also in Andra Pradesh at 6 pm reaching the hotel at 7.45 pm. After checking in, at 8.15 pm I walked up to the Kalahasti Eeswarer temple which was a short distance from the hotel. Deva accompanied me. I did Archana at Lord Siva & Goddess Parvathi's shrine. This was one of the Pancha Bootha Stalam of Lord Siva that I was asked to visit in the Nadi. 

Day 2 - Lord Nadaraja Draws Me At Egambareswarar Temple 

The next day, 2nd September 2003, I visited the Kalahasti Eeswarer temple again, this time I went alone. I was there from 6 am to 8 am. I wept silently at the Lord's sanctum. After some time I wanted to return to the hotel. In the daylight, I noticed a flight of steps up a hill behind the temple and a shrine temple at the peak of this hillock. The hunter Vedan Kanappa, one of the Tamil Nayanmars, had paid homage to Lord Siva throughout the night unknowingly throwing down onto the Sivalingam leaves that he plucked off a tree he had perched on for the night. The hotel aid told me this was the spot when a king was driven ashore at the height of the great flood and was the start of humanity. 

Tirutani 

At 8.15 am I left for Tirutani reaching the Tirutani Murugan temple at 10.20 am. Darshan was only possible at 11.10 am since the temple was closed to the public for a special prayer. Deva accompanied me into the temple grounds. We queued up and waited. I did vilva Archana at Lord Murugan's sanctum. At 11.50 am I started for the town of Kanchipuram. We reached the town at 1 pm and took a tour of the cottage industries of Kanchipuram witnessing how silk sarees were weaved while waiting for the temples to be reopened to the public. Upon coming out from the shop we realized we had a puncture in the rear tire of the car. Deva got busy replacing the tire.

Kanchipuram 

Murthy and the local tour agent in India Mr. Mahendren came over to my hotel at 4.15 pm to check on how I was faring. At 5.30 pm I was at the Kanchi Kamatchi temple with Murthy and Mahendren. There was a slight drizzle as we came round the temple grounds. I had a beautiful view of Kamatchi Amman. The goddess was extremely beautiful.

Later Deva and Mahendren dropped me at the Egambareswarar temple. This was another of the Pancha Stalam that I had to visit according to the Nadi. The main sanctum was packed with devotees conducting special prayers and as a result, was extremely noisy. I had to look for another spot to do my prayers. As I came round the main sanctum I noticed a huge chamber on the left. As I stopped to have a look, there was a majestic statue of Lord Nadarajah in that chamber. A young priest who stood at its entrance ushered me into the chamber. As I stepped inside, it sensed an entirely different atmosphere. A strong vibration could be felt in this chamber. The young priests went over to Lord Nadarajah and started chanting some verses in Sanskrit. I broke down in tears. I cried aloud. I had Lord Nadarajah all to myself then.

I was invited by an elderly couple conducting prayers to Goddess Kali to sit and watch the Abhisegam. I saw Abhisegam for Lord Egambareswarar too. I saw the famed 3000-year-old mango tree now completely hollow but with green leaves sprouting - on the grounds of the temple. I was at this temple from 6 pm to 7 pm.

It was already dark as we left for Kumara Kottam Murugan temple also in Kanchipuram. There was a marble statue of Ramalinga Adigal here. 

Day 3 Vadalur And Sathya Gnana Sabha 

At 5.30 am, on Wednesday, 3rd September, I left for the Melmaruvathur Athi Parasakthi temple. Murthy had helped build this temple when he was studying in a college in India. He insisted that I visit this temple. I reached the temple at 7.30 am. Deva and Mahendren dropped me at the temple. I was shoved away by the attendants at this temple who only gave me a minute or so at the Goddess sanctum.

Sathya Gnana SabaiThen at 7.50 am I left for Vadalur. I reached Satya Gnana Sabai, the temple that Ramalinga Adigal had envisioned and built, at 10.30 am. I had very much wanted to be here. Deva and Mahendren waited on me as I enter the temple. I was told that prayers were only conducted three times a day and lasted half an hour each time. I had to wait for the next prayer between 11.45 am to noon. A priest came into the complex at 11.45 am. He opened the door to the inner sanctum only to expose a black curtain at the doorway. The flame from the camphor was shown to this curtain. I later came to know that all seven curtains in this temple were drawn aside to reveal the light (Jhoti) only during the Thaipusam festival once a year. 

I was then driven to Sittivalagam Tirumaligai in Mettukuppam a few kilometers away. Ramalinga Adigal walked into a room in this building and had himself locked in from the outside by his disciples. When the government authorities questioned his disciples of the whereabouts of the saint and insisted that they are allowed to enter the room, they found the room empty. The saint had disappeared into thin air. 

Bhuvanagiri And The Birth Place Of Raghavendra Swami

I dropped in at Bhuvanagiri, the birthplace of Ragavendra Swami at 2.40 pm. Unfortunately, the building was closed for renovation. I managed to steal a peek at the image of the saint through the grilled doorway. 

Chidambaram And The Temple Of Thillai Nadarajah 

At 3 pm I reached the town of Chidambaram. The temple was closed. We adjourned to the Thillai Kali temple, which was some distance away. After praying at Thillai Kali temple at 4 pm we went back to the Chidambaram temple. Deva and Mahendran dropped me off at the Thillai Nadarajah temple. I was here from 4.40 pm to 6.10pm. I conducted the Archana at the Adi Lingam sanctum. 

Vaitheeswaram

I continued to Vaitheeswaram where I checked in at a hotel within walking distance from the famed Vaitheeswaran temple. At 7.30 pm I walked to the temple. At 8.40 pm the huge doors to the temple were closed for the day. I returned back to the hotel.

Day 4 - Tiruvengaadu And The Temple Of Buddhan

Thursday, 4th September 2003, I left for the Buthan Temple at Tiruven Kaadu at 6.40 am. Siva, back home, had recommended that I include this temple in my tour of temples. He had directed me the kriyas to do at this temple. I followed his instructions. I dipped in the three tanks, Agni Theertam, Chandra Theertam, and Surya Theertam respectively. Deva stepped into the tanks first to ensure the steps were not slippery and the water was not deep before allowing me to go in. The first two tanks had some water but the last one had practically dried up. I lighted twenty-four ghee lights (Agal Vilakku). I prayed at the main temple of Lord Siva. There was a footprint under a tree in the compound of this temple. There was also a shrine of Lord Siva where I was told Lord Brahma had meditated.

Keelaaperampalam And The Temple Of Kethu 

At 9.25 am I left for the Kethu temple at Keelaaperambalam. Later I stopped at Mallava Rishi temple also known as the Pathinathar Temple. Deva accompanied me. There was a shrine for Sage Pathinathar here. 

Mayil Aduthurai 

At 10.10 am I left for Mayil Aduthurai temple at Mayavaram. 

Suryanar Temple 

I arrived at the Suryanar temple in Mayil Aduthurai in the scorching heat of the afternoon, at exactly 12 noon. There was a central temple housing the sun god and individual shrines around the main temple for the other eight planets. I had been advised against giving alms to the poor on this pilgrimage by my brother who had the bitter experience of having to ward off large groups of these beggars who turn up once they see a foreigner or visitor giving donations. Siva had particularly mentioned to me to be wary of beggars in the guise of sadhu's especially at this temple. So taking heed of their advice I left the grounds of the temple speedily when a woman came after me asking for alms followed by a disfigured man. This couple, as if they could read my mind, called out after me, "There are only two of us - please donate". True enough nobody else was around on the immediate grounds of the temple. I dipped my hands into my pockets and handed whatever cash I had then to the lady who happily went away with her partner. 

Tiruvidaimarutur 

I made it in the nick of time to pray at Tiruvidaimarutur Amman temple. The Siva temple though was already closed for the afternoon. 

Kumbakonam-Swamimalai-Tiruvalanchuli 

At 12.50 pm I left for Kumbakonam. I dipped my hands in the famed Mahamaham tank in Kumbakonam town. We found our way to Mr. and Mrs. Barnabas's home. They are the parents of Mr. Thomas, my neighbor in Malaysia. Deva accompanied me. Mrs. Barnabas greeted us as I introduced myself. She served lunch. Later Mr. Barnabas and another son joined us. I was here from 1.30 pm to 5 pm after which I left for the Adi Kumba Eeshwarar temple. I witnessed prayers conducted for Lord Nadarajah and Goddess Sakthi. I was here from 5.10 pm to 5.50 pm. 

We stopped at the Swamimalai Murugan temple from 6.10 pm to 6.40 pm. I rushed up the flight of stairs to get a darshan of Lord Murugan. The temple was packed with devotees. I could hardly see the inner sanctum. 

It was night as we continued to Tiruvalanchuli Siva and Vinayagar temples. Lord Vinayagar's statue - Suvetha Vinayagar - I am told is made of sea froth. It was dark except for dim lighting from a sole streetlight at the entrance to the temple. As I stepped out from the car onto the tar road and made my way in the poorly lite surroundings, my feet sank into the ground, what felt like sand to me, just as at the beach. But there was no sea! Had the sea resided back over the ages? 

At 7.20 pm I started for Tanjore and checked in at a hotel.

Rajarajacholan's Famed Breehadeshwarar Temple In Tanjore 

7 am, 5th September 2003, I visited the Breehadeshwarar temple in Tanjore. At this Siva temple was a huge statue of a bull (Nandhi) and in the inner sanctum a gigantic lingam where the priests had to stand on raised platforms on either side to perform the abhisegam. Sadly the abhisegam was done behind the veil. Besides the main Siva sanctum, there was a shrine for Sage Karuvurar located at the back of the temple. Sage Karuvurar was the architect of this temple and the guru of King Raja Cholan. There was a flight of steps leading up to a shrine of Lord Dhaksanamurthy. 

Trichy And My Parikaarams 

I was off to Trichy at 9.15 am to perform the parikaaram. On the way, I stopped to watch how pottery was made by the villages on the insistence of Deva. I continued at 11am for the Utamar temple. I reached the temple at 12.50 pm. Deva went in to enquire if there were any priests who could be of assistance in advising me on how to go about doing this parikaaram as the Nadi did not stipulate in detail as to what I was to do and offer here. It only mentioned that I had to make a donation to three Brahmin priests at this temple. Then as if God sent, Deva comes back accompanied by a priest willing to help out at this temple and also at the Tiru Anaikaa Siva temple in the town of Trichy. The priest told me we need to get to Tiru Anaikaa temple first and fast before the temple is closed for the afternoon. I made an appointment to come back to the Utamar temple in the evening for the parikaaram.

Day 5 Guided Tour At Thiruvanaikaval 

The priest took me to the Tiru Anaikaa temple. He advised me on what to purchase. He used his contacts at the temple to open doors that were closed. Lord Vinayagar's chamber was already closed. He called on a caretaker and had it opened for me. He caught hold of an elderly priest to perform the prayers. "You are the want to do the prayer," he said to the Brahmin priest who was squatted at a corner of the temple. He insisted this elderly priest should perform prayers at the main sanctum. I was taken into the main sanctum and shown the lingam which was partially submerged in water. After the prayers, I fell at the feet of the elderly priest. As I picked myself up, I realized all those who followed me had also fallen at the feet of the elderly priest following my gesture. 

This priest then led us to Lord Dhaksanamurthy's sanctum and conducted prayers. After the priests left, I broke down at Lord Dhaksanamurthy's sanctum. I cried aloud here, to the amazement of my new friends. The caretaker of the temple tried to console me. The priest from the Utamar temple said, "Let him be. Let him cry". 

After a while, I picked myself up and I adjourned to feed the poor, a cow and an elephant on the advice of the priest who accompanied me from the Utamar temple. I was literally shoved from one shrine to another, by these people performing each prayer to the utmost satisfaction. All these just happened with no prior indications that it would take place. 

The priest whom we picked up at Utamar temple insisted that I dropped him off at a location that he chose. He did not want me to send him back to the Utamar temple saying he had errands to run. After dropping him off and giving him a token of appreciation for his assistance, we drove off. I looked back and realized that we had dropped him off at a Hanuman temple. 

At 2.55 pm I was driven to Thuraiyur to meet Rendaraja Desigar hoping to be back in time for the prayers at Uttamar temple.

Samayapuram and Turaiyur 

On the way I stopped at Samayapuram Maari Amman temple, reaching the temple at 3.15 pm. Deva accompanied me. The temple was under renovation. The idol of the goddess was replaced with a painting. I deposited a silver foil (Tagadu) in the impression of a pair of eyes that I purchased from the vendors at the temple grounds, into the donation box. 

Meeting Rengaraaja Desigar Of Ongkaara Kudil

I left for Turaiyur at 3.40 pm hoping to get darshan and blessings of Rengaraaja Desigar Swamigal, founder, and patron of the Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam, at Ongkara Kudil, Turaiyur. I specifically wanted to come here. I reached his ashram at 5 pm. I was welcomed by Mr. Nadarajah. On hearing that I was from Malaysia he was overjoyed. He had very high respect for Malaysians. He said, "All these is only possible because of you Malaysians", pointing to all the structures and facilities put up with donations from Malaysians. I inquired if I could see the Swami. I was told he would be coming in a short while for the evening prayers at 6.30 pm and that I could see him then. While I waited I was served tea. 

After a while, Nadarajah tells me Swami was coming over to meet a couple of businessmen. I was given the opportunity to meet the Swami after them. But before that Nadarajah personally took me around to view all the facilities that they had at the ashram which helps feed the poor. As he ended the tour of the office, kitchen, and stores and other related buildings, he gasped aloud to find that the two visitors had left. He hurried me along to a building, praying that Swami should still be around to see me. 

And there was Rengaraaja Desigar seated alone on the floor in one corner of a small room. There was an aid in attendance standing at the doorway to another room. I entered the room and prostrated in front of the Swami. Deva followed too. Nadarajah introduced me to Swami. Swami talked cheerfully about Kuala Lumpur and enquired from Deva about my arrangement to tour India. I never expected to have an audience with Swami one to one. I asked that he bless me. There was no response to my requests. Fearing he might not have heard me I repeated my request. Finally, the Swami replied coming to Ongkara Kudil in itself was a blessing. I did not know how to receive his answer then. Nadarajah invited me to stay overnight but I had to turn it down because of prior arrangements to do parikaaram back at the Utamar temple. 

Upon returning back to Malaysia I narrated my visit to Ongkara Kudil and having the audience with Swami to the devotees at Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam in Dengkil and they were surprised that I was allowed to see Swami that easily and in private. I was told the organization had laid certain rules to restrict the inflow of devotees coming to see Swami, which was taking much of Swami's time and hindering his meditation. Devotees were required to bring along fruits and flowers that were customary when visiting Swamis. It did not occur to me to bring these offerings nor did Nadarajah enlighten me on the procedures. I suppose I was destined to meet the Swami. 

Brahmaharti And Sangkalpa

I started back to the Utamar temple at 5.45 pm to perform the next parikaaram and prayers to Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva and donations to Brahmin priests. Deva accompanied me. Siva told me since I had done harm to Brahmins in my last birth I should ask to do Brahmaharti too at this temple. The priests at Lord Vishnu's chamber chanted some mantra and splashed some water on my face.

Thinking I needed to do Brahmaharti at Siva's chamber too, I mentioned to the priests at this chamber only to be told that he had done the Sangkalpa pooja that removes all my previous, present and the future karmas. 

Day 6 Appeasing Saturn 

8 am, 6th September 2003, and I am off to Paalur Navagraha temple to perform parikaaram at Sani Bhagavan's sanctum. Deva accompanied me. The uniqueness of this Navagraha temple is that all the planets are with their consorts here. On enquiring what I should do, the priests asks that I donate sesame oil and silk cloth for the nine planets. At 8.20 am, I am back at Trichy to purchase the said items. I rush back to the temple for prayers. Abhisegam was done at 10 am. 

Then I was off to Sri Rangam Temple. It was just as crowded as Lord Vengadesa temple in Tirupati. I could not enter the main chamber to see Lord Ranganathar. I spent some time at the Ambal sannadhi where prayers were going on.

As I was about to get into the car and drive away from Sri Rangam when a holy man with a long white beard, long hair that was tied up neatly, and dressed in a white vesti, appeared from out of nowhere and stood next to the car. He was a fair, merry, and cheerful elderly man. He started blessing me, "You shall be fine". He spoke fine English and Tamil. I bent to touch his feet, asked if he had eaten and gave him some rupees before I bid farewell to him.

2.10 pm, I start back to the hotel that was on the outskirts of Trichy. From 4 pm to 5 pm, I shopped the streets of Trichy for books. 

Deva accompanied me as I started my climb up the flight of stairs leading to the Rock Fort where the Uchipillaiyaar temple and Taiyumaana Swami temple is located. The electricity supply was interrupted in certain portions of this Rock Fort temple while I was there. It was an unusual experience though; praying and moving around in the dark. It was a beautiful view from up here. I left for the hotel at 7.30 pm. 

Day 7 Palani And Twilight Zone

5.30 am, 7th September 2003, I left for Palani a day earlier than scheduled. I reached Palani at 8.50 am. After a brief drive around the hill, Deva dropped me off at the entrance to the Tiru Avinankudi temple. I bought prayer items and started up the hill. After taking a few steps I just could not move my legs any longer. They were extremely heavy. The heart was working hard. I was gasping for air. I had to break the climb, stopping every few minutes. I eventually reached the top of the hill. On reaching the top, I was dizzy and had to sit. I dropped my belongings and leaned against the wall of the stalls that were lined up. As I sat there I was sweating profusely on the verge of fainting. The throat was extremely parched and dry. As I opened my eyes all was bright and white. I could hear the crowd and see the silhouettes of people moving along.

After some time having regained my composure I continued my way to Lord Palani Andavar's chambers. I stood in the row to have the darshan of Lord Palani Andavar and did prayers here. 

Leaving the Lord's chambers I followed the devotees ahead of me. That is when I came upon another room where on looking within there were four Brahmin priests. I enquired if it was Sage Bhogar's samadhi and they nodded. I entered and stood in prayer while one of the priests lighted the camphor and showed the flame. One of the four priests, a young man, reached for a tumbler on top of a closet in the room and handed it to me saying it was abhisegam milk. I drank the milk. I took the opportunity to sit for a while at Sage Bhogar's chamber as there were no devotees around. Upon opening my eyes I noticed the priest was still there in front of me, this time holding some flowers and vibhuti in his hand. He gave them to me. I took leave thanking him silently. 

I came out of Sage Bhogar's chamber in a daze, not comprehending what had just happened back there. I walked around the temple grounds a couple of times, still in a daze but with a heart that was full, brimming with joy. I finally left the premises and found my way to the car at the foothill at 11 am. I was back at the hotel in Trichy at 2.40 pm. 

Day 8 Revisiting My Roots 

8th September 2003, I had a day without any activity as we had covered all there was to see earlier than planned. So Deva suggested I visit my late father's village Kilsevalpatti in Karaikudi - Sivagangai district. I started for my father's village at 7.20 am.

Viralimalai 

I stopped at Viralimalai Murugan temple. Here I saw a spectacular sight. I saw flocks of peacock roaming freely in the wild.

Kundrakudi and Pillaiyaar Patti 

8.50 am, I am at Kundrakudi Shanmuganathar temple located on a small hillock.

11.40am, I am at Pillaiyaar Patti Karpaga Vinayagar temple. Here was one huge statue of Lord Vinayagar carved on the face of a huge boulder that had become a famous temple now.

12.30 pm, I stopped over at the Kaala Bhairavar temple. A very tranquil place.

I left this temple at 1.20 pm for my late father's village. As we drove down a lane in between rows of houses there was a large gathering in front of a house. We stopped three doors away from the crowd and stepped into a house. An elderly man was seated at a corner. I introduced myself and inquired if he knew my late father. He tells me he was related too and informed me my cousin had passed away last night. The crowd three doors away had gathered for the funeral. As I was on a pilgrimage I could not meet my relatives. I gathered whatever I could from this relative and snapped a few shots of the house my father was born and lived in. I could not enter my father's childhood home for lunch was been served for the relatives of the deceased. So for some reason, I was not allowed to mend or meet up with my relatives in India. 

Vayalur

I returned to Trichy at 4.30 pm and continued to Kumara Vayalur Murugan temple. I was here from 5.30 pm to 6 pm. A huge statue of Kripananda Vaariyaar greeted me upon arrival. 

Day 9 The Pinnacle Of My Journey 

6 am, 9th September, I left for Thiru Aanaikaval temple again thinking I could take a dip in the tank. But there was hardly any water in the tanks. 

7.15 am, I started for Tiru Annamalai stopping over at Viradeswarar Temple in Tirukovilur at 10.40 am. I continued my journey to Tiru Annamalai at 11 am. 

I reached the Tiru Annamalai temple at 1.15 pm. Deva accompanied me. I was at the temple grounds till 1.50 pm. I had a beautiful darshan and pretty close one too of Lord Annamalaiyaar and Unna Mulaiyal. I performed prayers here, at the Siva Parvathi Urchavamurthy shrine and at Lord Murugan's shrine. I saw the patala lingam where Ramana Maharishi had meditated. I left for the hotel at 2.30 pm. 

Today was the day where devotees go around Mount Tiru Annamalai. According to the Nadi I was to go round this hill on a full moon night. So here I was on the 9th of September 2003 in Tiru Annamalai. The full moon started at 10.47 pm and lasted till 10.48 pm the next day (10th September 2003). At 5.30 pm I walked to the temple from the hotel. I joined the long queue to get another darshan of the Lord before embarking on the Girivalam. It was a long queue indeed for I only saw the Lord at 9 pm. At 9.40 pm I started on the Girivalam path finishing back at the temple grounds at 6.30 am on 10th September. I stopped over at the following places of worship: 

Tuesday, 9th September 

9.45 pm Agni Lingam in the temple grounds

10.40 pm Seshadari ashram, Amman temple, Dhaksanamurthy temple

10.45 pm Kali temple

11.30 pm Ramana ashram

11.40 pm turned back without visiting Yogi Ramsuratkumar's (Visiri Swami) ashram as it was too far off the Girivalam route

11.55 pm Murugan temple, Sakthi temple, Adi Shankaracharya Madam, Tank

Wednesday, 10th September 

12.10 am Cemetery, Yama Lingam

12.20 am Mrityam Or Jaya Lingam, Ganesar temple

12.35 am Tank, Dhurvasar temple, Nandi temple

12.50 am Tank, Jhoti Vinayagar temple

1.20 am Vallalar temple, Annamalaiyaar temple, Unnamulai temple

1.30 am Anjaneyar temple

1.40 am Palani Andavar temple, Raja Rajeswari temple, Nandi temple

1.50 am Adi Mudi Sidhar Samadhi, Kautamar Rishi temple, Surya Lingam temple, Ramar temple, Varuna Lingam temple, Adi Arunachaleswarer temple

2.45 am Manickavasagar temple, Ganesar temple, Sakthi temple, Sudhananda ashram

3.10 am Vayu Lingam temple

3.20 am Tank, Ramachandra Swami ashram

4.20 am Kubera Lingam temple

4.40 am Eduku Pillaiyaar temple, Panja Muka Darshan temple, Brahma Rishi temple, Esaki temple

5.00 am Arthanathiswarar temple

5.10 am Seenivasa Perumal temple, Cemetery, Ammani Ammal Peedham, Esanya Lingam temple

5.30 am Easanya samadhi, Annamalaiyaar temple

5.55 am Draupadi Amman temple

6 am Durga, Anjaneyar, and Perumal temples

Finally, Erathai Vinayagar temple at 6.30 am ending the Girivalam at the eastern gopuram. 

I was hoping to come face to face with my guru at this holy event. But I was not destined to meet him until a later date.

Day 10 A Chance Meeting with Supramania Swami Or Was It Ordained? 

After lunch that day at 12 noon I went back to Ramana Maharishi's ashram and sat at his samadhi. I purchased the Tamil parayanam cassettes. Later I left for Yogi Ramsuratkumar's ashram which I did not get to visit earlier during the girivalam. Unfortunately, Yogi Ramsuratkumar's ashram was closed for lunch. 

I then decided to go eight kilometers out of Tiru Annamalai to Deva's uncle's home. I was told he was an astrologer. Deva introduced me to Supramania Swami as a tourist from Malaysia who was there for his daughter's astrological chart reading. I mentioned my name to the Swami. He immediately took me into his prayer room, lighted the camphor, hovered it in front of all the portraits of the deities in his prayer room, and blessed me. We sat outside the house as he prepared to chart my daughter's future. But what he actually did was to talk about my future and me. 

The first thing he mentioned was; "Now since you have arrived in Tiru Annamalai, all is over for you" (Ingu vanthutear. Yellam mudinthathu). I didn't ask what he meant by that. He reminded me, "Now I had to put effort into certain practices", which he elaborated later. I did not question him nor interrupt him. I just sat there listening, waiting for each word to break out from his lips. He mentioned that he had been going around Mount Tiru Annamalai for the past thirty years now, but could not do it the night before, which was a full moon day, due to ill health. 

He mentioned his masters. He had had five gurus. Amongst them was his own father, Jayaraman Pillai, Pundi Mahan (Atru Swami), Sathanandha Swami, Kolli Malai Swami and Yogi Ramsuratkumar (Visiri Swami). The Yogi, he said had placed him under house arrest. He was asked to meditate at the Yogi's residence for five days. The Yogi had asked Supramania Swami to stay put at his place but later decided that he be with his family. Swami did mention another incident where the Yogi after going into samadhi had appeared and tapped the door of his home at 11 pm one night. Swami woke up to be given a poster of the Yogi himself and the Yogi left laughing. Swami tried to keep up with the Yogi but could not. 

Supramania Swami gave me mantra teecha which was the guru upadesa to be recited. He asked that I chant the mantra for half an hour each day till I recite one kodi (lakh). That amounts to ten million times. "Just as a silversmith polishes his wares we too shall slowly work on IT till we achieve IT", said Swami. Swami did ask me to get a mat made of tharbai or kusa grass for use during meditation; to light a Kamatchi Amman lamp or vilakku, or Asthalaksmi vilakku during prayers. 

As we sat there together Swami revealed new happenings that were about to take place in my life. He could tell a number of intimate things about the life and mission I was to face. As he was narrating all these happenings to me I could not help but break down. I cried like a child. I cried for the number of blessings I had received from god till that very moment. I realized how much God loved me then. Then he surprised me further when he mentioned that I would build a temple right here in India - in Tiru Annamalai; and set up a Peedham. I cried aloud again. Swami was by now seated up erect, in a meditative (padmasana-tavam) state as those words crept from his lips. I did not ask for clarifications. 

When Deva did mention to Swami that it took me nine hours compared to three hours for others to go around Mount Tiru Annamalai (Annamalaiyaar), Swami replied, "Of course it would take that long for he (referring to me) had been stopping over at all the places of worship and ashrams." 

We had a photography session. As we left his home he stood there, hands together in prayer for me. I in return stood there with my palms in prayer to him too, not knowing what was appropriate for the moment. I just could not believe the amount of love this man had for a total stranger. He was praying for my safe journey. He had ordered Deva to ensure I was safely taken to the airport and boarded the plane back to Malaysia on the 12th of September 2003. I left him as night fell over this small village known as Nachaananthal. I reached the hotel at 8 pm.

Day 11 Returning Home - A Satisfied Pilgrim 

Thursday morning, 11th September, I walked to Annamalaiyaar temple at 6.30 am to have HIS darshan again. Today there was no crowd any longer. I took my time to pray and look around. I saw abhisegam being performed to Annamalaiyaar's feet. I splashed myself with water from the tank (Indra Theertam). A woman was standing alone against the wall opposite Egambareswarar's sanctum. She indicated by hand gestures that she was hungry. I gave her some rupees and fell at her feet.

I returned to the hotel after breakfast. Deva turned up at 10 am. 

I went over to Ramana Maharishi's ashram to purchase the cassettes; then over to Yogi Ramsuratkumar's ashram at 10.40 am and sat at his samadhi. No one was around then except for an employee from the ashram who was distributing prasadham at the entrance. It was beautiful here. The calmness away from the hectic atmospheres in most of the major temples that I had visited earlier. 

I went over to the Kubera Lingam at 11.30 pm. Deva accompanied me. I left for Chennai at 11.40 am.  

On the way, I chanced to see Saint Ragavendra's Brindavan at Vemandhi in Pelakuppam, Tindivanam. 

Then I diverted to Tiruporur Kandasamy temple. I was there from 4 pm to 4.30 pm. I reached Chennai at 5.20 pm.

I had planned to see a few more temples in Chennai but it was not important anymore. After Tiru Annamalai and the darshan of Supramania Swami, nothing was important anymore. That night I ventured out of my hotel. Having nothing to do I dropped in at the Vinayagar temple next to my hotel.

Day 12 Departure Day 

At 5.30 am, 12th September I ventured out of the hotel, going back to the Vinayagara temple. Then I went to the adjacent Vadapalani Murugan temple and a Siva temple. 8 am I was back at the hotel; at 10 am I did some shopping in T Nagar returning to the hotel at 3 pm; at 8 pm I started for the airport. I took the flight back to KLIA Sepang at 12.05 am on 13th September 2003. It was a memorable journey and a satisfying trip indeed. 

My first trip to India that started off as a means to carry out my remedies, showed me my guru too.  I returned home carrying wonderful memories and bliss. As the routine life went on, the bliss slowly wore out. Although Agathiyar was silent after my return, as he had told me to come in for a second reading of the Nadi three years on, Supramania Swami was at hand to give me a tug and a reminder and showered his blessings. Before coming to the Siddhas, I only knew the Gods and Goddesses and the deities. Agathiyar brought me to his fold to know the Siddhas too. Coming to Supramania Swami I came to know about men who were Gurus. A new chapter had yet unfolded. A Guru-disciple relationship unfolded. 

KNOWING ONE'S SOUL & IT'S PURPOSE

It is said that when the young Ramalingam stood before a mirror in his brother's home in Chennai, he saw the image of Lord Muruga materialize in it. What do we see when we stand before one? I see myself. Similarly, if I stoop over a bowl of water or a pool of water or stand on the river banks I see a reflection of me in the still water.

Cyndi Dale in her book "New Chakra Healing", Llewellyn Publications, 1996, observes the mirror and writes, "There is much more to us than what we see in the mirror." Very true. We believe that it is an image of us, showing what we really look like. An anatomist she sees looks deeper beyond the skin, "seeing the myriad of blood vessels, muscles, bones, or organs that make our body function." A professor she says "sees the depth of knowledge, learning, or intelligence which underlies the thought processes and belief systems." Our mothers tell us of "the non-apparent truths that made and shaped us who we are today." A spiritualist would see beyond the physical in us too, filling us on subjects like the soul and spirit, light and divinity. Cyndi says, "There is much more to us than what we can see in any mirror. She poses a question, is the mirror wrong then? No, she says, as it is only operationally limited, providing only a fraction of the truth.

Agathiyar these days tells us that he only sees our soul or Atma. As Cyndi wrote, "This outer reflection may accurately illuminate inner truths or it may disguise them", Agathiyar addresses our souls to get to know the real desires and wants of us, rather than hearing them from our lips. The soul has been covered by so many layers of thoughts, opinions, desires, and wants, that he has to shuffle through the dense jungle of thoughts and desires to arrive at the truth that the soul seeks. If earlier the Siddhas had fully recorded the soul's journey through the numerous births and relayed to us one or two episodes from these births through their medium of the Nadi, these days he is working with us, helping us to recognize the soul in us and address it, by going within. All the practices and techniques he gave are tailored towards arriving at it. We are trying to follow his dictates without fail. 

Agathiyar has spoken about the purpose of humans taking birth at the Tamil Sangam. He listed 5 compulsory tenets that man needs to do. The first and foremost task for man is to understand his purpose in taking birth, often revealed through the Nadi or his guru. With his purpose known then, he shall come to thank the divine creator or energy that brought forth his birth through consultation with the lunar forefathers and their angelic hierarchies that co-exist with us down here. With the constant showering of his blessings that come to us by way of living a purposeful, meaningful and fruitful life, the soul grows in strength gaining Soul Power or Atma Balam. Showing appreciation to the divine that gave us an opportunity to take birth again to sort out our lives, we then thank all the caretakers both seen and unseen, in the present and the past. With all their blessings and grace showered on us, there is an obligation on our part then to "dutifully aid and help, the ongoing evolution of all co-existing human beings." The final task is to extend this aid and help, towards "the ongoing evolution of all co-existing beings and entities, existing upon the lower levels of the evolutionary ladder, dutifully supporting the manifested matrix or prapanjam."

When I ask Agathiyar to know the true and real purpose of me taking birth, he brought me to the portal or door of meditation. Traversing through the chakras, when one stands at the door to the last chakra, his true purpose in taking birth shall dawn on him, says Agathiyar. The effort has to come from us. It has to be earned. When he hears me mention to my friend that we should take the cue from Tavayogi and asks for Jnana, moving away from the material and physical desires of many who stood before Agathiyar and Tavayogi, Agathiyar tells me that I had asked for Jnana and shocks me by saying that he cannot give it to me! It has to be earned, he says. Traversing within, the experiences that arise in this internal journey, come to us as Jnana, says Agathiyar and it shall differ from person to person. Again the effort has to come from us. Agathiyar who has been guiding me through 61 Nadi readings to date, could have told me my purpose and reason too. But it was not to be given or revealed but to be known by oneself.

Cyndi too says it beautifully, "We are to look for the points of contact, the doorways or portals, the revolving doors that link the visible and invisible. To enter our revolving doors is to enter the realm of purpose. That purpose is our ultimate calling. It originates in our spirit or our essence, the self that was and is one with the Divine Source and the energy behind creation."

She gives us a wonderful and enlightening snapshot of the process of creation. 

Upon separating from the Divine Source, we each receive a torch representing one of the truths or principles of the universe. That torch becomes our essential purpose, and our soul's job was to carry our purpose forward until we achieved it. However, as our souls added new dimensions, including a mind and a body, it obviously became hampered by blocks and resistance. That is why our souls have entered one life after another; each life has presented the opportunity to live out different life task designed to clear any issues, beliefs, or experiences that prevent the achievement of the essential purpose.

Living our purpose is the dynamic process whereby we heal our blocks and misperceptions, while expressing our true selves. 

She says living our purpose is fully expressing our spiritual self in the material world. She adds that living our purpose is proof that we have achieved completion or puranam, as Agathiyar says too. Thank you Cyndi for an enlightening piece.

MOVING INTO MEDITATION

I took up the call to come to the path of the Siddhas, when Agathiyar in my very first Nadi reading, asks me to do so telling me that it would do me some good. After being shown the right path for the soul to travel in this birth, the Siddha path, my search for anything and everything on the Siddhas brought me to stand at the doorway of many establishments run under the name of Agathiyar. They could not quench the thirst for knowledge on the Siddhas that I had. I picked up whatever material I could lay my hands on and proceeded to walk alone. After three long years, Agathiyar came again in the Nadi only after seeing that I had taken heed of his advice and carried out the remedies or parikaram spelled out by him; and after I engaged in worship or puja to the Siddhas and the deities in my home; and after I engaged in small acts of doing charity, an offshoot and continuation from having performed the parikaram. After being faithful to him and his words, these three years, he came with a gift for me. He showed me to my guru, on the Siddha path, Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal. 

Agathiyar had already presented me with a gift prior to the coming of Tavayogi - in the form of my very first guru in physical form Supramania Swami of Tiruvannamalai, immediately after my last leg of my pilgrimage to India to satisfy all the parikaram. Prior to coming to Tiruvannamalai, I had worshipped all the Gods and Goddesses in the Hindu pantheon as shown by my parents. Coming to Supramania Swami opened my heart to accept men too - the gurus - in my worship. He himself had five wonderful gurus, the last being Yogi Ramsuratkumar. He brought the Yogi from his samadhi to chant with him and me in the silence of dusk, in the private space of his kudil. This miracle reminded me of Saint Nakkirar's plea and yearning, for a quiet moment and a space with the Guru. Seeking Lord Ganapathy's grace and blessing to create the avenue for this special moment, sitting in silence with the Guru, merging in thought with him, even the thought of the guru as separate - drops, and he becomes identified with the Guru, one with the Guru. If just bringing this vision itself brings so much joy in us, imagine how it would be, in the actual presence of the Guru? Saint Nakkirar's prayer has become my prayer too.

மோனா ஞான முழுதும் அளித்து

சிற்பரிப் பூரண சிவத்தைக் காண

நற்சிவ நிட்கள நாட்டமுந் தந்து

குருவுஞ் சீடனுங் கூடிக் கலந்து

இருவரும் ஒரு தனியிடந் தனிற் சேர்ந்து

தானந்தமாகித் தற்பர வெளியில்

ஆனந்த போத அறிவைக் கலந்து

ஈசனிைணயடியிருத்தி

மனத்தே நீயே நானாய்

நானே நீயாய்க்

காயா புரியைக் கனவெனவுணா்ந்து

எல்லாமுன் செயலென்ேற உணர

நல்லா உன்னருள் நாட்டந் தருவாய்

காரண குருவே கற்பகத் களிேற

வாரணமுகத்து வள்ளலே போற்றி

Its transliteration,

mona gnana muluthum alitthu

sirparipoorana shivattai kaana

narshiva nitkala naattamum thanthu

guruvum seedanum koodi kalanthu

eruvarum oru tani edam thanil sernthu

thaananthamaagi tarpara veliyil

aanandha bhotha arivai kalanthu

esan enaiyadi erutthi manathay

neeye naanaai naane neeyaai

gaayaa puriyai kanavena unarnthu

yellaam un seyalendray unara

nallaa un arul naatham tharuvaai

kaarana guruve karpaga kalire

vaarana mugatthu vallale potri

Its translation, a product of the limited capacity of my understanding.

Conferring the Silent Jnana, 

Coming face to face with the final revelation of the source,

Giving birth to divine desires,

Hence the Guru and Student merge,

in a lone space, the Para Veli,

locked in blissful knowledge,

placed at the Holy Feet of Siva,

"Oh Maname, understand that you are ME, I am you, 

the body is but just a fortress in a dream,"

Bring me to the realization that all is your doing, 

Bring forth the yearning for your Grace in me, 

Oh my Guru, Lord Vinayaga.

Frank Alexander in his book "In the Hours of Meditation", Advaita Ashrama, Calcutta, 1993, describes this sacred moment beautifully.

There are hours when one forgets the world. There are hours when one approaches that region of blessedness in which the soul is self-contained and in the presence of the Highest. Then is silenced all clamoring of desire; all sound of sense is stilled. Only God is.

Frank says,

There is no holier sanctuary than a purified mind, a mind concentrated upon God. There is no more sacred place than the region of peace into which the mind enters when it becomes fixed in the Lord. Purity, bliss, blessedness, peace. The spiritual consciousness dawns in these silent, sacred hours. The soul is close to its source. For this to take place, prayers are needed. Prayers lead one to this exalted state of silence.

Prayers are the means Frank says.

The helpers, the messengers of the most High shall come and thou shalt be free. From out of the depths of prayer all things come - love for God, spiritual vision, and spiritual realization. However dark thy heart, prayer shall bring light therein, for prayer is meditation. Prayer is communion with the Almighty.

Ramalinga Adigal goes into an ecstasy singing aloud that his prayers had been answered through several songs. Adigal in his youth pleaded with the divine too to show him a way to move into meditation, the means to salvation.  B. Kamalakkannan in his book "Footsteps of Saint Ramalingam", Vanathi Pathippakam, Chennai, 2014, describes Adigal's yearning and reason to move into meditation. There is a subtle body for every human being, looking very much like the physical body as seen in a mirror, writes, B.Kamalakkannan. It is located at Dhuriyam, within the narrow path in the center of the forehead. Within this narrow path slightly above the subtle body at Dhuriyatheetham lies the Holy Spirit that takes the form of a Sivalingam. The amalgamation of the subtle body with the Holy Spirit during meditation is attaining salvation or Mukti.

I had never been able to meditate to this day. But once as I sat I almost immediately lost all sense. I saw a vision as if watching it on a screen. I saw libation or abhisegam performed on a Sivalinga. I could see a portion of the hand that performed the libation too. It went on for some time until I came to be aware of my senses and surroundings. I still do not understand what took place back then.

B. Kamalakkannan goes on to mention that the only way to merge the subtle body with the Holy Spirit is through meditation and that meditation is itself very much dependant on the breathing which then has an impact on the nervous system. For meditation to take place, we need a purified mind. For meditation to take place, we need to purify the body first, says Agathiyar. When he came to instruct, giving his very first instruction in Yoga through the Nadi, he asks that I do Nadi Suddhi. The tool is the breath that comes with us, stays with us 24/7, that is not easily misplaced or lost or needs an upgrade or to be purchased, hired or renewed. Swami Vivekananda speaking about this practice of Nadi Suddhi or purification of the nerves quotes from the Shvetashvatara Upanishad on Nadi Suddhi guides us on the method just as Agathiyar did. 

First, the nerves are to be purified, then comes the power to practise pranayama. Stopping the right nostril with the thumb, through the left nostril fill in air, according to capacity; then, without any interval, throw the air out throught the right nostril, closing the left. Again inhaling through the right nostril eject through the left, according to capacity; practising this three or four times at four hours of the day, before dawn, during midday, in the evening, and at midnight, in 15 days or a month purity of the nerves is attained; then begins pranayama. 

The reason being,

Nerve currents will have to be displaced and given a new channel. New sorts of vibration will begin, the whole constitution will be remodeled, as it were. 

Prior to engaging in the worship of the Siddhas, engaging in all these pranayama techniques and cleansing regimes, Agathiyar had mysteriously passed the Vasudeva mantra to me through my nephew. My nephew only revealed the source of the initiation that came from Agathiyar through his gurus a couple of years later. As I was told not to question the source, but to adopt and follow I did as told. But upon researching, I came across R Venu Gopalan's book, "The Hidden Mysteries of Kundalini", which enlightened me on this mantra. It was written that the Vishnu Granthi adds obstructions for the sadhaka keeping one under the wraps of attachment and bondage leading to the process of selfishness and supra ego. Hence the mantra is recited for balancing the Vishnu Granthi. The nadis of the heart chakra is cleansed and it balances the heart chakra. Continuous practice of meditation on this mantra helps purify the thinking process too. It also helps in dissolving all the past karmic deeds for a better future. 

Yogi Professor Ramdas Prabhuji who is of the same opinion with R Venu Gopalan, writes at https://lahirimahasayakriyayoga.org/om-namo-bhagavate-vasudevaya/

The purpose of the Second and Third Kriya is to break the heart granthi in order to get the fourth state, Turiya, or Samadhi. The heart knot is the Vishnu-Granthi. Therefore, the supreme Vishnu mantra (mahamantra) – Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya – is used for this purpose. In the light of Kriya Yoga, the fourth state of Turiya, or Vasudeva, is a synonym for Kevala Kumbhaka. The Vasudeva-mantra of 12 syllables – Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya – is known as a Mukti Mantra because it grants release from Samsara for the one who recites it with devotion and faith.

In another book on Saint Dhruva, it is mentioned that this mantra was given to Dhruva by Saint Narada. The saint initiated Dhruva into the mysteries of yoga and meditation leading to samadhi. Narada taught Dhruva the practice of pranayama by inhaling, exhaling, and holding the breath. He taught Dhruva to overcome thought fluctuations with the help of breath control. Narada also taught Dhruva to meditate on Vishnu in the sanctuary of his heart repeating the Lord’s name mentally and offer prayers and worship. 

The Vasudeva mantra was mentioned in an extract from the English translation of the book "Kriya Yoga Vijnan - The Science of Kriya Yoga", the original by Saint Lahari Mahasaya. Lahari Mahasaya has named this sadhana, Omkar kriya. This is essentially a pranayama and the basis is the Vasudeva mantra. The Sastras have propounded that the Vasudeva mantra is an omniscient mantra. When a sadhaka starts comprehending his awareness as one with the mantra then he becomes omniscient himself. Then his attainment shall be - "I am this omniscient Vasudeva." In the Gita it is stated: "In the very last of all births, the man of wisdom worships me, realizing that all is Vasudeva. Rare indeed is the soul. Then do namaskar to thyself."

From Awakening State at http://www.awakeningstate.com/spiritual-awakening/om-namo-bhagavate-vasudevaya/ we learn that,

This Sanskrit mantra can be practiced to attain freedom (moksha) from Samsara – the “Karmic Wheel” that keeps us bound to cycle after cycle of incarnations. This liberation mantra is a karmic eraser. Chanting this mantra with a sincere heart frees your mind and spirit from negative patterns in this life and helps us realize ourselves as a manifestation of transcendent divinity. 

Wikipedia mentions the following,

‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya’ is a mantra of Vishnu and Krishna both. It has two traditions - Tantric and Puranic. In Tantric Tradition, the Rishi of the Mantra is Prajapati; in Puranic Tradition the Rishi is Narada. Both, however, say it is the Supreme Vishnu Mantra. Sharada Tilak Tantram (Sarada-Tilaka Tantram) for example, says "Dvadasharno mahamantrah pradhano Vaishnavagame" - the twelve lettered mantra is the chief among Vaishnava mantras. Similarly, this is the ultimate mantra in Shrimad Bhagavatam, whose 12 Chapters are taken as extensions of the 12 Letters of this Mantra. This twelve syllable mantra is known as a Mukti (liberation) mantra and a spiritual formula for attaining freedom. This is the principal mantra of the Vedic scripture Srimad Bhagavatam.  

B. Kamalakkannan writes that Ramalinga Adigal in desperation to know about and go into meditation asks for divine guidance into the art of meditation. The divine is said to have sent him two saints, Thirugnansambandhar and Manikavasagar to guide and assist him. I remember Agathiyar while guiding me on certain vaasi techniques mention that the adepts in vaasi were Lord Ganapathy and Gautama Buddha. Agathiyar in the Nadi and Tavayogi taught us to use the breath to tame the thoughts. They parted with initiation into several mantras and techniques to help quieten the mind and subdue the breath. I was told to focus on the spot between the eyebrows initially, creating awareness and concentration on a single thought and a particular spot. On later initiations, I was told to pay attention to the breath. I was given a mantra too to recite silently while watching the breath. After both my gurus in physical form departed, they and their lineage of gurus before them continue to come to our aid. From time to time, Agathiyar introduces a new technique or an advance practice helping to shed monotonous regimes or boredom. We are blessed that Agathiyar has come personally, with Ramalinga Adigal too, to guide and assists us in many techniques too. Recently Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal too came to guide us personally on this practice, this time introducing Kumbhaka or withholding of the breath for some time, the period of time equivalent to the recitation of the very first Diksa mantra given by one's Guru. Acharya Gurudasan or whom we lovingly address as Master Gowri has shared tips on Pranayama and its techniques helping us better understand and fine-tune the practice. 

Agathiyar comes on to check on us if we are following his dictates. So when Agathiyar came to asks if I was following the vaasi or breathing techniques he had told to carry out recently, I lamented that the mind would not settle. He then asks if I was taking the concoction that he had asks me to prepare and take daily. I then told him it was too bitter a pill to swallow to which he commanded me to take it. He added that the impurities or kalivu in the body need to be rid of for the mind to settle in contemplation and meditation. Prior to giving me this magic formula to prepare and take the concoction daily, he had Siddha practitioner Thiru Arivan prepare and had me take his Agathiyar Kuzhambu. That purgative brought out all the trash and garbage I had carried in my system the past sixty years. He told me after I had consumed it that it helped bring balance to the three dosas but there were still impurities that had to be cleared. I am placed under house arrests. I am asked to go out only if very very necessary. Agathiyar has me take the magic portion daily which has a tenth of the effect of his Agathiyar Kuzhambu, but effective enough in daily cleansing. He warned me not to share it as it was for me only. 

As I was preparing the magic portion one day, my granddaughter questioned me as to what I was doing. I explained to her in detail what I was asked to do and briefed her on the whole process and also that Agathiyar had specifically told me to take it. She then asks "What about for me?", as we are always sharing food and drinks. I reiterated that Agathiyar had specifically told me not to share it with others. After asking the same question several times she rushed into the house and stood before Agathiyar. She called out to me from my prayer room. She asks me loudly, "Tata, is he the one?" (who asks to prepare and not share it), pointing to Agathiyar's murthy. I was taken aback and figured that the next thing she was going to do was to ask him why he had refused to give it to her too. But she came away after gaining confirmation that it was indeed Agathiyar who gave the instruction. Maybe she must have thought how could a nice looking doll (the statue) of Agathiyar speak and give instructions? 

Supramania Swami's hand in introducing me to gurus in physical form, made it easy for me to accept and worship the Siddhas, men who worked their way up the spiritual ladder transforming their Asuddha Deham, to Suddha Deham by means of performing worship and rituals, taking purgatives that cleansed the insides of their body, doing pranayama and asanas, later transforming the Suddha Deham into the Pranava Deham, rich in prana Sakti, arriving at attaining Siddhis that were used wisely. Finally, these men due to the intense tapas carried out, fed the fire within or Tava Kanal that consumed all impurities and joined the ranks of those who merged with Erai, themselves becoming Jhoti or Light or attaining the Oli Deham. Frank writes about the glory of the Guru and the moments of merger.

Through his mercy, through his illumination thy most inmost soul has been resurrected. He has sought thee out and through him thou hast been made whole. The realization of the Guru descends in torrents upon the disciple. It is ceaseless; and nothing can resist it. His love for thee knows no bounds. To all lengths he shall go for thee. Never shall he desert thee. Even his curse is blessing in disguise. 

All he wants of us is to realize our divinity and he is on hand to help us realize it. Frank explains the Guru - discipline principle lovely.

More and more does the personality of the disciple merge in the Guru nature while all the time the Guru's personality is seen to merge more and more into that of which even his body had been a manifestation. Then the sublimest oneness is attained. The waters of the dual personalities of Guru and disciple become the ocean of the infinite Brahman.

As Ramalinga Adigal brought the divine into each and every cell in his body making it divine, Frank writes, "The nervous system must assimilate ideas. Then the very body itself becomes full of chaitanya. The very body is made spirit."

Frank asks us to bring Him into each moment of our lives, spiritualizing maya, spiritualizing the moment, making even the menial acts divine. Karma then never lifts its hood; never associating with the act. Let's learn to spiritualize all that comes into contact with us.

As Frank asks, "Bring divinity into commonplace daily life" and see the difference. Frank asks us "to see the invisible divinity in the visible universe about us."

As Agathiyar says nature shall reveal its secrets, Frank too states, "Nature herself shall reveal her true beauty to thee. Thus to thee, everything shall become spiritual. Even a blade of grass shall speak to thee of the spirit."

Make the body a tabernacle for the soul; and let the soul be more and more revealed day by day. Then shalt that darkness which is ignorance be gradually dispersed; and that light which is the divine wisdom shall gradually be revealed.

Finally, he asks us to, "Make thy own self thy Guru. Each is his own savior and his own Lord. Let the human in thee die so that the divine shall be revealed."