Having said becoming a Siddha like Agathiyar would please him most, we first must come to know the man, right? Who is Agathiyar?
Wikipedia, says,
- Agastya (Also known as Father of Tamil Literature and Siddha), is one of the Saptarishis (meaning "seven Siddhas") who are extolled at many places in the Vedas and a revered Vedic Siddha who is also the author of Agastya Samhita [ref: Dharma Bharathi].
- Agastya is the name of Shiva too. The word is sometimes written as Agasti and Agathiyar.
- Aga means a mountain, and Asti means thrower.
- Agastya the Muni, son of Urvashi was born of both Gods, Mitra, and Varuna. Agastya is also the Indian astronomical name of the star of Canopus, is said to be the 'cleanser of waters' since its rising coincides with the calming of the waters of the Indian Ocean.
- He is considered as the father of Tamil literature and compiled the first Tamil grammar called Agathiyam.
- In the Tamil language, the term 'Agam' means inside and 'Iyar' means to belong. One who belongs inside (soul) is the Tamil meaning for Agathiyar.
- Siddha Agathiyar is considered the Guru of all Siddhars, and the Siddha medicine system is believed to have been handed over to him by Lord Muruga, son of the Hindu God Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi.
- Agathiyar is the first Siddhar. His disciples and other Siddhars contributed thousands of texts on Siddhar literature, including medicine and form the founder of the system in this world.
From https://blog.good-will.ch/WordPress/2010/10/23/rishi-agastya-a-little-miracle-and-some-stories/ we read an interesting piece about Agathiyar, quite out of the usual cut and paste description of him as seen in most websites and blogs.
Last week I came across a transcription of a seminar given by Sri Kumar in the Nilagiri Hills in 1996 about Agastya, Master Jupiter. He said that Agastya is very different in profile and in appearance from the other Masters of Wisdom: Whereas Lord Maitreya or Master Morya and Master Kuthumi are described as being of a tall stature, having long hair and a beard, Agastya is small and a bit round, radiating smile, of a golden-yellow complexion, bald-headed without any hair (unlike the presentation on the poster…), being dressed scarcely with a lungi, never wearing anything else. He has great, round eyes, is often traveling with his disciples and loves to cook and to serve. Through serving food he likes to spread himself into the people and thus to adjust any imbalances in the mental, emotional, and physical bodies. In his spiritual activities he never treads any trodden paths, but gives new trends and directions, being full of freshness. His live is always accompanied by will, spreading be-ness and presence. He is very humorous and his teachings are very powerful, but nevertheless humorous, thus uplifting the people.
From https://www.good-will.ch/pdf/e_lunar10_8.pdf we literally see him giving people a push.
Normally, Agastya does not interfere with the evolutionary activity on the planet; it is guided by the ashram in the Himalayas. In times of crises, when the Hierarchy and the Devas alone cannot cope with the challenge, he cooperates and gives a push.
In this same piece of article, we are told that Agathiyar had an ashram in South Africa and South America too.
Even though he represents a cosmic principle, he lives in a body of flesh and blood. While the other masters live in the Himalayas and in other ashrams all over the planet, his centre is in the Nilagiris, the Blue Mountains of South India. This, however, is only one of his ashrams. Another ashram is in South Africa, and a big ashram is in South America, which geographically is further south compared to the Nilagiris.
Agathiyar had literally walked on the face of the earth. Skimming through several documents brings us to understand that Agathiyar having been summoned by Lord Shiva to bring a check and balance while correcting the tilt that had occurred when all the Gods and Goddesses, Devas and Devis, Rishis and their wives, Siddhas and their wives, and all their attendants had converged at one spot in the north to witness the holy matrimony of Siva Parvathy. Agathiyar traveled to the south and placed his thumb on the ground at Agasthiyampalli and pressed it gently into the ground. The earth was brought to a state of balance. After completing his assigned tasks and receiving the darshan of both Lord Siva and Parvathy in their marital state, he moved to serve mankind and all. His journey and his many encounters have been documented in numerous works and songs of the Siddhas.
In writing about the "Origin & Development of Siddha System of Medicine", Dr. Mandayam Kumar writes the following,
It would not be out of place here to give a short narrative about Sage Agastya at the beginning of Kali era, since when our present civilization has its origin. Sage Agastya is stated to have been born nearly 5000 years prior to the commencement of Kali Yuga, at a place in Gujarat, as the son of Bhargava and Indumathi who followed the traditional Pasupatha cult which was widely prevalent at that time.The text referred to writings on an old palm leaf,
During a search for different literature on our ancient medical science in India, a palm leaf manuscript in Tamil dating back to 3100 B.C. could be traced, giving a detailed account of the intensive research work done by the great Siddhas of South India.
The entire narration in the Siddha text is attributed to Sage Agastya and is given in the form of a discourse between him and Pulasthya, one of his intimate disciples.
Continuing from the texts,
Sage Agastya, with his cosmic intellect, was able to visualize that Lord Siva and his consort, Uma had willed to be born on earth in the form of Dakshina Murthy and Shenbhaga Devi and selected their abode at the Podigai Malai of the Courtalam range, north of Kanya Kumari. Eleven years after the commencement of the Kali era, great seers like Agastya, Nandeeswara, Pasupathi, Vyaghrapada and Patanjali gathered at Mahadeva Giri of the Courtalam hills, along with Lord Muruga, son of Siva and Parvathi, and met Dakshina Murthy and Shenbhaga Devi seeking their guidance.
It is stated that Lord Dakshina Murthy instructed these Rishis to revive the ancient knowledge of philosophy and science and propagate them suitably for the wellbeing of humanity. Accordingly, each of them chose a different branch and recorded their knowledge on palm leaves, compiled in the form of texts. This great task was carried out at a place known as Alagan Kulam in Ramnad District of Tamil Nadu.
Agastya was particularly assigned with the task of taking necessary steps to propagate the ancient knowledge with all its branches throughout the world in a suitable manner according to the needs of circumstances. Thus, the entire recorded palm leaf texts were handed over by Lord Dakshina Murthy to Sage Agastya on Tuesday, the 21st day of Karthigai (Solar month) in Easwara Samvatsara of this Kali Yuga.
Having this great task before him, Agastya had to select eminent persons for the propagation of the knowledge. Under the guidance of Lord Muruga, an institution was formed near the main waterfalls at Courtalam adjacent to the Temple. The institution was started with the help of the great philosopher-scientist of China, the well-known Bhogar, and an eminent scholar from Malaysia by name Nandi Devar (subsequently named as Theriyar). Besides, Yugimuni, Pulappani, Pambatti Siddhar, Pulasthya and Kappiyan also joined them. With the help of these scholars, Sage Agastya conducted a conference at Courtalam and founded a hospital and research institute for the propagation of medical science.
At Thorana Malai Research Institute, provision was made for teaching students from different parts of the world in five distinctive subjects in a systematic manner.
Firstly, they were taught philosophy to understand the relationship of soul and matter, the process of evolution and attainment of reality.
Secondly, they were trained in different branches of Yoga to attain perfection or Siddhi through the process of meditation.
Thirdly, they were thoroughly taught Astronomy and Astrology, which are inter-related.
Fourthly, they were trained in alchemy, i.e. physical and chemical properties of elements.
The last subject to be taught was the Science of Medicine. With these they would be thorough in their diagnostic capacities through the Nadi system, i.e., pulse reading.
At this institute, Bhogar took up research on medicines with chemicals, minerals, gems and salts. Nandi Devar (Theriyar) was the head of the department of surgery; Yugi Muni was in charge of Ayurvedic preparations and medicines attached with herbarium; and Pulasthya and Kappiyan were in charge of recording the results of different research works conducted at the institute. Apart from treating the general public the hospital had the facility to treat wounded warriors with surgery. Replacement of limbs and organs were also taken up including brain and heart surgery.
At Paradesi Kundai on Courtalam hills, an Ayurvedic institution was established with a herbarium attached to it under the able guidance of Yugi Muni. Botanical research was also taken up here, bringing about various high-breed varieties of plants, flowers, fruits, etc. Even silk cocoons with different colors were developed here by rearing the larvae with different chemicals as their food. The art of sericulture is elaborately explained in their records.
At Maruda Malai near Coimbatore, Pambatti Siddhar took up research work on poisonous snakes for the utilization of the venom in the treatment of various diseases. During the course of such a research, the administration of medicines through injections was also developed with the help of syringe and needle. Particular care was taken to design the needle. A special alloy of copper and gold was adopted in the manufacture of these needles. The mode of treatment through injections was considered as Raja Vaidya or king of treatments and it is stated that Chinese and Ethiopians widely used this art in their treatment.
Under the guidance of Bhogar an institution was established at Thiruparukundram near Madurai for research on minerals, salts, chemicals, etc., converting them to Bhasmas and Sindhuras for easy assimilation with high potency. These Bhasmas and Sindhuras have high specific activity and are very effective in the treatment of chronic and acute diseases. Further the method of liquefying the metals and minerals was also developed here making them suitable for administering as injections. In addition, to find out the nature of toxicity and efficacy of these medicines that they were first tried on animals. For this purpose, an animal house was established at Pasumalai adjacent to Thiruparukundram.
The surgical section attached to the hospital in Thorana Malai was headed by Nandi Devar who was well known as Theriyar. At this place, the preliminary training in the art of surgery was given through a special species of frogs called Therai. Hence, the department head was nicknamed as Theriyar – one who rears Therai frogs. Elaborate explanations are given about the method of surgery. Hygienic upkeep of the place, sterilization of instruments, different anesthetic preparations to suit the age of the patient and duration of surgery are adequately explained, besides giving various medicinal formulae for the quick healing of the surgical wound. It is mentioned that the thread taken out from the banana plant was used for the sutures in surgery. Special preparations used as local anesthesia are also explained in addition to disinfectants. Transplantations of foetus on animals were also tried at Pasumalai bringing in several varieties of animals. They had even tried plastic surgery for wounded soldiers.
(Source: http://www.tknsiddha.com/medicine/origin/)
P.Karthigayan in his "History of Medical & Spiritual Sciences of Siddhas of Tamil Nadu", published by Notionpress.com, Chennai, 2016, lists the extensive fields of sciences and studies the Siddhas had carried out.
Siddhas were pioneers of many scientific inventions and discoveries in ancient Tamil Land. Siddhas like Siva, Nandhi, Subramaniyar, Thirumoolar and Kaalaangi had shown special interest in health, longevity and immortality. Agathiyar had shown special interest in body concepts. Bhogar had shown special interst in physics. Chataimuni had shown special interst in alchemy. Konganar had shown special interest in aviation. Karuvoorar had shown special interest in metal castings. Jothimuni researched and perfected precious stones. Idaikkadar studied the cosmos.
Karthigayan writes that the Siddhas believed that immortality was of dual nature, Athma Siddhi or spiritual immortality and Kaaya Siddhi or physical immortality.
He continues,
The Siddha cult was a path of freedom in every respect. Each one took some theme of research and passed on his findings to the society through his disciples and literary records. The main focus of their reserch was the body and the cosmos. From them originated unusual schools of thought that differed from the regular streams of spirituality known to ancient civilizations, hence came to be regarded as mythology in later years.
These are amazing findings and documents related to the Siddhas that help shed some light on their lives. It is amazing to read about the extent the Siddhas went to, to experiment with life's sciences and documenting them for the generations to come. Compassion for men drove them to research and make public these studies.
But there are studies as Karthigayan too noted, that has either ranked him as a myth or legend. Some relegate Agathiyar to the past, to be frozen in history. Others speak that he lived only in the past. He has become another exhibit in the museum. Only experience will prove otherwise. They fail to realize that even today he guides many in treating diseases, in solving problems, in helping make discoveries in numerous fields. They fail to realize that Agathiyar is alive and with us even now. One has to walk the path to know them. Tavayogi who came to know him built a temple cum ashram in his name at Kallar on a new site, indeed a rare venture to promote the teachings of the Siddhas and groom potential Siddhas.
To satisfy our thirst, and yearning to know the truth Agathiyar obliged us, although only giving a small hint of his origin. Agathiyar himself has evaded from answering this question telling us as the elders tell us too, not to delve into questions, probe or investigate the beginning and end of things, be it the creation or a person. But out of compassion for us, Agathiyar answered Suren's question on his origin in a Nadi reading some years back, when Suren sat before him for a Nadi reading with this question.
Agathiyar in his very first mortal birth had the vision of Kailash at a very young age of 10. After the vision, he took up extreme tapas (tavam) including breath control. With the holy feet of the Sadguru forever in his thought, he reached a state of Nirmala at Kailash. Upon receiving diksa from Lord Kailai Shiva, he was blessed to be born a Siddha. It was a mystical birth. Agathiyar adds that it was not necessary to dwell on the source and the details (Rishimulam Nadhimulam).
Born as a Siddha now and moving in the jungles, sustaining only on fruits, his thoughts fixed on Erai, having no attachment to the good or bad, he soon had the vision and grace of Goddess Vana Kali. Continuing with his seeking and search for realization, and upon accomplishment further severe austerities or tavam, Lord Kailai Shiva shows him his vision in Pothigai. Merging with Erai, Agathiyar stayed on at Pothigai upon Lord Kailai Shiva's directive. While here he came to know about the medicinal benefits of various herbs and plants. Agathiyar received the names of Kudamuni, Kumbamuni and other names from Lord Kailai Shiva.
Going without food and remaining in silence, staying in the state of Vaasi, adhering to the eight limbs of Asthanga Yoga and performing extreme tapas, for the rest of the Yuga, gaining the Siddhi to travel through the air, having accomplished all these feats, yet Lord Kailai Shiva told Agathiyar that there was something that he had failed to accomplish and do. When Agathiyar asked for further clarification, Lord Kailai Shiva laugh and looked him straight into his eyes, and told him, "Although you are an embodiment of Jnana, and those who hold on to your feet shall never face any disappointments, Gurumuni you do not have a companion as I do."
Agathiyar was taken aback. He came to know that the Lord intended to get him engaged to the very representation of Mother Kaveri, and Kaberan's daughter, Lobhamitra. Hence in this Kali Yuga, his energy that was of Shiv Sakthi came to stay at Kalyana Theertam with the intention of blessing all those who came seeking him and stood before him and Lobha Ma, seeing them as a personification of Shiv Sakthi.
Agathiyar gracefully gave us an insight into the Siddhas too through a Nadi reading for Jnana Jhothiamma. While he did mention that Aadhi Sivan was the beginning and is in the form of the Jhoti and in all of us including him to the former, Agathiyar told the Nadi reader not to elaborate on his revelation for the later but to deliver the revelation as is.
Agathiyar got me, an otherwise lazy chap who loved to go nowhere, on my feet and leave for India immediately after Tavayogi left for his Kallar Ashram. Once at Kallar, Agathiyar had me visit the numerous destinations related to him, with Tavayogi leading me there. A couch potato living in the comfort of his home suddenly saw himself sleep on the cold floor of the Kallar Ashram, bath in the flowing Kallar stream, wash his own clothes and dishes, run behind Tavayogi into the jungles and hike up the slopes of the Western Ghats, sleepover in the dark caves of Kuttralam, bath in the lakes in this mountain range, step into the oldest temple built for Agathiyar at Agasthiyampalli, visit the temple at Papanasam, only to be told later in a Nadi reading that it was where he sold fruits for a livelihood and served them to Agathiyar too in his last birth, and more.
Agathiyar got me, an otherwise lazy chap who loved to go nowhere, on my feet and leave for India immediately after Tavayogi left for his Kallar Ashram. Once at Kallar, Agathiyar had me visit the numerous destinations related to him, with Tavayogi leading me there. A couch potato living in the comfort of his home suddenly saw himself sleep on the cold floor of the Kallar Ashram, bath in the flowing Kallar stream, wash his own clothes and dishes, run behind Tavayogi into the jungles and hike up the slopes of the Western Ghats, sleepover in the dark caves of Kuttralam, bath in the lakes in this mountain range, step into the oldest temple built for Agathiyar at Agasthiyampalli, visit the temple at Papanasam, only to be told later in a Nadi reading that it was where he sold fruits for a livelihood and served them to Agathiyar too in his last birth, and more.
Agathiyar brought me on that journey to show me his presence and that of the other Siddhas through a myriad of miracles, getting my attention and having me engrossed at the moment, have me come back loaded with bliss, and share the experiences with others and on my website indianheartbeat. Among them, he opened his eyes in a granite statue first at Agasthiyampalli and then later at Papanasam, blessed Tavayogi, my brother and me with abhisega milk at Palani, and many more.
Agathiyar had told me that he would open his eyes to see me at Agasthiyampalli in the Nadi reading before I left for India. So I paid extra attention to his granite statue observing that both his eyes were carved closed. Having sung the Siddhar Potri or recitation of the names of Siddhas, yet he did not perform the miracle. Disappointed, I walked out to the open space where Tavayogi was already waiting for me after completing his meditation indoor. He called me to the spot where he stood and asked me to look into Agathiyar's chamber. He told me Agathiyar was opening and closing his eyes. I look and look straining my eyes but did not catch that miracle. Tavayogi was now disappointed too. He led me into the sannadhi and told me to sit with Agathiyar in the inner chamber while he snapped a photo. Just as I was about to sit, he threw me his shawl and asked that I sit on it. What do you know? As I turned towards Agathiyar he gave me a wide grin and had opened his left eye to see us. Amazing!
Later at Papanasam, as we sat in front of Agathiyar's shrine I thought I saw him blink a few times. I went closer to verify. What do you know? He was opening and closing both his eyes. I called my brother over to show him the miracle. Tavayogi who was watching from afar called us over telling us as he did at Agasthiyampalli that they will show it for only a second. Agathiyar confirmed these miracles in a Nadi reading back in Malaysia.
Sending me back home with a reminder that these miracles would continue once I am back in Malaysia, true to his words, there has never been a day without witnessing them. For instance, a miracle that took place at the home of nine devotees who stayed together in an apartment the day after we brought AVM Agathiyar over for puja on their request. The girls having seen and learned Siddha puja from the previous day, got around to conduct a similar puja on their own. After having garlanded and decorated Agathiyar's painting and offered prayers to him, they took a few shots of him in his majesty and shared them with me. Agathiyar had opened one eye in the painting. Upon noticing it I called them to asked if they saw that particular photo. No one did notice. The girls who were out headed straight for the Cyber Cafe and viewed the photos again. They were overjoyed that Agathiyar had opened his eyes during their prayers in August of 2010.
When Jnana Jhotiamma visited us in 2013 arriving in the afternoon while we touched down in Malaysia in the morning, stayed for only three days before leaving for Chennai. During this time we performed rituals giving her the honor to join in the Homa and do abhisegam for Agathiyar's statue. As we came out to the living room upon completing the prayers, my daughter who was manning the camera ran down from upstairs and showed me her phone. Agathiyar had opened both his eyes to watch us during abhisegam. Amazing. Later he confirms the miracle in a Nadi reading.
Showing miracles in India, then coming weekly in the Aasi Nadi readings, he made us speechless by coming alive in his statue and opening his eyes, then he amazed us when Siddhas and deities came to pay homage to him. This set the stage for him to come too. He has visited us often. The pinnacle of his visits is when he sits in on our PTS committee meeting and runs the meeting.
On another occasion, he surprised us when he came through a devotee as usual and prepared a compound of herbal paste, made from pounding a selection of herbs, oil, and salt and bandaged the knee of a devotee who injured himself in sports.
Agathiyar asks my wife to serve him food and pass it on to all devotees to eat. During the last Guru Puja fest for him, he came and asks for it and personally fed all those who had gathered then. Then when Sri Krishna and his wife Sri Dewi who feed the hungry fulltime, came in he asked them "Where is the food you brought?" and asks that Krishna feed him. This is not about feeding Agathiyar but it goes beyond that, we understand now after reading the following piece from https://blog.good-will.ch/WordPress/2010/10/23/rishi-agastya-a-little-miracle-and-some-stories/
In the scriptures, there is the story that once a group of disciples in the Himalaya had the questions who is the one fasting most, and Maitreya told them, “It is Agastya, he never eats.” They wanted to see Agastya and went to him. Agastya said: "Observe me for three days.”
Agathiyar asks my wife to serve him food and pass it on to all devotees to eat. During the last Guru Puja fest for him, he came and asks for it and personally fed all those who had gathered then. Then when Sri Krishna and his wife Sri Dewi who feed the hungry fulltime, came in he asked them "Where is the food you brought?" and asks that Krishna feed him. This is not about feeding Agathiyar but it goes beyond that, we understand now after reading the following piece from https://blog.good-will.ch/WordPress/2010/10/23/rishi-agastya-a-little-miracle-and-some-stories/
In the scriptures, there is the story that once a group of disciples in the Himalaya had the questions who is the one fasting most, and Maitreya told them, “It is Agastya, he never eats.” They wanted to see Agastya and went to him. Agastya said: "Observe me for three days.”
They were very surprised to see him cooking, eating and serving. He was not missing any meal, and every meal was from our standpoint very excessive in its quantity. After three days the group asked: "We have not understood your way of fasting.” He answered: "In so far as you don’t feel that you are eating, it is fasting.” He does not think he is eating. He lives in tune with the universal consciousness and in such a tune-up the food is given to all the elementals around him with himself as the channel.From https://www.good-will.ch/pdf/e_lunar10_8.pdf we see a similar explanation given.
Lord Krishna once sent three disciples, who were fasting irresponsibly, to Agastya in the Blue Mountains to learn right fasting. Agastya said, “Observe me for three days. Then you will know it.” They observed him. He did not miss any meals. He ate mountains of food but he had a flat belly. After three days they told him, “We cannot understand you kind of fasting.” He replied, “I have been fasting eternally. I do not need food because I do not eat for myself. It is fasting if you feel that you don’t eat.” We think that we are eating. Agastya does not think that it is he who eats. He lives in accordance with the universal consciousness, and thus the food is distributed to all the elements around him, with himself as a channel. There are stories about disciples of him, who were so much engaged in work for the Plan and did not have time to eat, did not become hungry, because the Master ate for them. Master CVV also provided rich meals, for the body should not be neglected. We should live a yoga which fulfills spirit and matter.
This blog is all about miracles we said on the onset, posting only photos of magical moments in the presence of the Siddhas in the very first post. The miracles haven't died down. Agathiyar says it will go on for they love to play lila or Siddhis or Siddhu Vilaiyattu with their devotees. So there is more in store.
