RECLAIMING THE LOST WEBSITES 1 - LORD VINAYAGAR

I thought I had lost all my writings and postings on my websites from the nineties and the start of the millennium when in a fit of anger at seeing someone tarnish the reputation of my guru on a posting in social media I removed all the websites never wanting anyone to comment anymore about my gurus.

Moments ago my daughter told me that nothing is lost and that they are stored on the internet achieve. She pointed me to the website at https://web.archive.org/ which helps retrieve these lost pages. I managed to do just that. And what a wonder. It brought back fond memories of my early journey. I shall post them as I retrieve them.

I started to create a website initially to store my digitized art that was collecting dust. Later I started posting the writings of my brother who was a journalist having gathered many facts about Hinduism and published them in small booklet forms under the series "The Wisdom Library" for distribution to those keen to know. After coming to see the Nadi and returning from India fulfilling the remedies given in the Nadi by Agathiyar and having met my first Guru Supramania Swami I began to start writing too covering my maiden pilgrimage to India. Hence my journey in documenting and writing began. Read on.

Vanakam,

My drawings and artwork were collecting dust, so I thought why not let the world see it. And what better way than to create a Home Page. To view my artwork, click GALLERY.

Special thanks to my brother Thiru A Kathirasen for allowing me to use some of the articles written by him. These articles and various others were published in small booklet forms under THE WISDOM LIBRARY series and were distributed free to the public.

Thanks to my friend N Jayaselan for helping me decide on a name for my website.

Thank you to my wife and children for being patient with me while I spent hours on the computer.

Lastly, I dedicate this website to my parents without whom I would not be around today to develop and maintain this site.

Vanakam

Avadaiyappa Shanmugam

From the now-defunct website http://indianheartbeat.20m.com/WindowVinayagarChaturthi.html

September 19, 2003

Thiru A Kathirasen explains the worship of Lord Vinayagar and the special occasions associated with Him.

VINAYAGAR CHATURTHI

Hinduism is not merely a way of life. It is also a science of life. Its concepts are scientific and based on truths discovered by the Rishis and Jnanis.

People are confused by the “many gods” of Hinduism.

According to Hinduism, God or Paramporul or Sivam or Brahmam or the Supreme is Absolute. He is Infinite. However, He can and does appear and respond in a form.

The different deities of Hinduism are different facets of God. They show His functions, powers or aspects.

The forms of the Hindu deities are highly symbolic and they contain many meanings and messages.

VINAYAGAR

The first prayer of a Hindu is always to Vinayagar. Vinayagar is invoked at the beginning of all ritualistic worship. He is invoked before a family moves into a house. The recitation of holy songs begins with the recitation of a Vinayagar mantra or song.

While there are countless Vinayagar temples, every Hindu temple dedicated to some other deity, including the Vaisnavite temple, has a statue of him. Vinayagar is not only worshipped by Hindus. He has a place in many other religions and nations of people. His name might not be the same but the figure is similar and so are the ideas that Vinayagar represents - auspiciousness, prosperity, well-being, and wisdom.

Vinayagar has a place in the Buddhist temple and among the Jains. The Chinese too worship Vinayagar but with a different name. Vinayagar or Vinayagar-like deities are found in Indonesia, Japan, Afghanistan, Mexico, Brazil, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Tibet, Mongolia, and Polynesia, among other places.

Vinayagar is both the Lord of obstacles as well as the Remover of obstacles. When we do evil things or when the time is not right, He places obstacles in our path. When we take the correct path, He removes the root of our troubles.

VINAYAGAR’S NAMES

Vinayagar has many names and many forms of His own. The word Vinayagar or Vinayagan is a combination of Vi + Nayagan.“Vi” means “No” while “Nayagan” means “head”.Vinayagar literally means He who has no leader. That is, He himself is the leader of all and therefore the highest.

Ganapati = gana + pati.Pati = Lord; gana = Siva’s warrior attendants.Therefore it means the Lord of Siva’s warrior attendants.

Ganapati also has another meaning derived from the root words ga + na + pati.Ga = going (into the world of knowledge); Na = the end (of this knowledge); and Pati = Lord. Therefore the Lord of both the path and goal/end and therefore the highest.

Ganesan = easan + gana.  Easen = Lord.  So Lord of Siva’s attendants.

Vigneswaran = vigh + easwaran.Vigh = obstacles; Easwaran = Lord. Therefore it means Lord of obstacles and Remover of obstacles.

Siddhivinayagar/Sithivinayagar = siddhi + vinayagar. Siddhi = powers or fulfillment; vinayagar = the top leader. This name therefore means the leader who confers powers or fulfillment on devotees.

Gajamugha = gaja + mugham.Gaja = elephant; Mugham = face.It means the elephant-faced One. Gajananan carries the same meaning.

 THE FORM    

Vinayagar’s form is shaped like and represents the Aum (also spelt “Om”) which is the primeval, creative energy. When the elephant cries it produces a sound akin to the Aum.

The Aum is the sound symbol of Brahmam, Sivam, The Eternal, The Unchanging, the substratum of all existence.

The Aum is the seat of Siva and the base of all mantras and the Vedas. The world originated from the Aum. It is the beginning and the end of all the Vedas, letters and sounds. Aum is the origin of everything and the essence in all of them.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF VINAYAGAR

Life evolves from lower forms into higher forms, from a lower stage to a higher stage. There are obstacles that obstruct the unfoldment of life from the lower stage to a higher stage. However, somehow, with time, the evolving being overcomes these obstacles and continues to progress.

Our sages saw that from the amoeba right up to man, there is this upward movement with a steady direction. In man, our sages saw the unfoldment from the man-brute to the godman.

Hindu sages realized that something motivates and gives direction to the unfoldment of life. They recognized that there was a cosmic intelligence guiding and providing this direction.

This intelligent principle guides and helps life overcome all obstacles in its unfoldment. Our sages decided to call this intelligent principle which removes obstacles in the path of progress and aids in our unfoldment Vigneswara or Vinayagar.

Also, while some Hindus consider Vinayagar simply an embodiment or symbol of philosophic or spiritual truths, others consider Vinayagar as real and existing. Hinduism accepts both streams of thought.

Vinayaga baktas believe that Vinayagar exists in a greater world than ours from where He guides our destinies.

VINAYAGAR REPRESENTS UNITY 

Vinayagar represents unity. He has a revered place in all Hindu temples including the Siva temple and the Krishna temple. This serves to remind the overzealous Vaisnavites and the overzealous Saivites that Siva and Krishna are one and the same.

Vinayagar’s form also shows the unity that exists between man and animal and the need for harmony. A human body connects an elephant's head to a mouse. It shows that from the lowest to the highest, all creatures are a part of God and that man is intimately connected to all life forms.

The human body being in the middle reminds man that he has to ensure a balance in nature and tred the middle-path.

Again the elephant is a non-meat eater. This signifies that man should practice Ahimsa.  Man should not cause any injury to his fellow beings. We are taught to live in harmony with nature.

Since every first prayer goes to Vinayagar it shows how important the Hindu sages consider unity. And it reminds man that his foremost duty is to ensure unity in diversity which is the law of nature.

ELEPHANT AND MOUSE 

Hindu deities normally each have their own vehicle in the form of some animal or bird. This is to drive home the point that all beings are the vehicles of God and that they have no existence independent of Him.

Vinayagar has an enormous elephant head and He is seated on a small mouse. What is the significance of this?

The elephant represents wisdom and strength. Its trunk can remove obstacles. The large head represents an expanded consciousness. It represents the highest type of consciousness.

The mouse is always associated with the earth. Almost all parts of its body are in contact with the earth.  It represents the lowest type of consciousness.

And what connects these two? The human body. The message to the devotee is this: Man can be like the mouse which has limited consciousness or he can work his way up to achieve an expanded consciousness as represented by the elephant head.

The rat runs hither and tether, Man’s mind too, ruled by impulses, runs hither and thither. However, he is also capable of being wise, hardworking, and strong like the elephant.

Man’s goal then is to remove his mouse qualities and enter the elephant stage.

The huge elephant sitting on a tiny mouse also indicates the truth that the Atman is the same in all, irrespective of size or birth, or race.

Another meaning is also given to the mouse. It moves everywhere unnoticed and steals or destroys food.  Like the mouse, egoism too exists unnoticed in our minds and silently wreaks havoc in our lives. When controlled by divine wisdom, however, the ego can aid progress.

THE TRUNK

The elephant trunk is very significant. The trunk is also its nose. The elephant nose is its greatest weapon and tool. Similarly, Vinayagar having the elephant form shows that man’s nose is his greatest weapon and tool. How? Breath-control. Through breath control, man can attain powers. It can help him expand his consciousness and move towards Sivagati.

LARGE EARS 

Vinayagar has large ears. Why? It is to teach us to talk less and listen more. Many of our problems with people arise because we listen little but talk a lot. Before someone can finish saying what he wants to say, we interrupt.  This truth can be verified at home and at meetings.

Ears are used to gain knowledge. The large ears indicate that when God is known, all knowledge is known.

THE POT-BELLY 

Vinayagar has a huge pot-belly. Why? Vinayagar’s pot-belly suggests that it can contain anything and everything. His belly is considered to be the womb of the world.

We notice that His belly is something like that of a pregnant woman who holds life in her. The difference is that while the pregnant woman supports one life or perhaps two or three, Vinayagar supports and sustains all life. He is the creative energy that brings forth life.

Vinayagar’s protruding belly and stories about His voracious appetite show that He can digest anything.

This indicates that a man of perfection, the highly evolved man, can digest anything whether it is pain or pleasure, good or bad, honor or dishonor. He has attained equilibrium.

THE HAND 

The right hand of the deities in almost all representations is held in the Abaya posture with palm facing us. It indicates that he who surrenders unto Him need not fear anything.  Vinayagar assures us that we should be brave as He is with the good and noble.

THE FOOT 

One foot of Ganesa touches the ground while the other is folded and rests on the other thigh. Why? This suggests that while we live in this world, we must tread the middle path and not go to extremes. Moderation should be our guide.

MODAKAM 

In representations of Vinayagar, He is depicted as holding the modakam, a sweet cake, in one hand. There are usually modakam placed in a tray in front of him or held by His trunk.

This is to show that the spiritually wise man always finds the world and life sweet as it enables him to be of service to his fellow beings of God. It also affords him an opportunity to improve himself and progress towards Sivagati.

The modakam consists of the outer flour portion and the inner sweet portion. The inner sweet portion represents the Supreme. The message is that man must dive within himself, transcend the outer, in order to find the inner treasure.

THE PASAM

Vinayagar, just like most other deities, is always shown holding a Pasa or rein/noose in one hand. The pasa has been given several interpretations.

The pasa represents desires and feelings that bind. Uncontrolled desires are the seeds of bondage. Like the noose they strangle us.

The pasa shows that attachment is the cause of birth. It also shows the creative aspect of divinity.

It is said that with the pasa (reins), Vinayagar guides us on the right path. With the pasa too He maintains obstacles in our path when we take a wrong turning or when the time is not right for us to do something.

The pasa tells us we must bind ourselves to God for material and spiritual progress. For unfoldment, we must bind ourselves through love, thavam, and service to God.

It suggests too that we should use our discrimination to control our desires as this conserves energy and helps us move upward. The pasa shows He binds us with His love and will guide us.

ANKUSA

The ankusa is a hook-like instrument.This too has various related interpretations.  The ankusa symbolizes discrimination which can pierce through delusions.It is said that Vinayagar removes obstacles and troubles in our path using the ankusa. He helps us be rid of delusions.

The ankusa indicates that we must check our emotions and passions through strict self-control and thavam. Like a hook pulling at our flesh, self-control and thavam will cause pain but it must be done. We must use our discrimination to control our lower nature.

The ankusa reminds us to break away from the grip of material entanglements.

The ankusa is also said to stand for anger which hurts us. The pasa (attachment) and ankusa (anger) will not help in spirituality. So we have to get rid of anger and attachment by surrendering to Vinayagar.

As the ankusa is used for destruction, it is also said that it shows the destructive or dissolving power of God.

THE SNAKE

Vinayagar is the presiding deity of the Mooladhara Chakra which is the foundation of the evolutionary, creative, or primeval energy called the Kundalini Sakti. It is coiled up like a snake when dormant. When activated, this energy is said to result in an expansion of consciousness and the unfoldment of man into Godman.

This results in various siddhis (powers and therefore we have Siddhi Vinayagar.Raising this energy to the Sahasrara will bring enlightenment.

A snake normally coils around Vinayagar’s belly. This represents the Kundalini Sakti. It reminds us that we have to awaken this energy to reach the state of expanded consciousness.

The snake around the belly also shows that everything in nature (the pot-belly) is supported by energy.

THE BROKEN TUSK

Vinayagar’s right tusk is broken. There are a few interpretations of this. Some suggest that it means we should not be trapped between the pairs of opposites like pleasure and pain but that we should with conscious effort break its grip on us.

Vinayagar uses the broken tusk as a writing instrument. This shows that a man who transcends the pair of opposites becomes creative.

Our right side represents Siva (spiritual) and the left is Sakti (material). The broken right tusk indicates that one must break-off the ego for spiritual fulfillment. In worldly life, however, we need the ego as otherwise, we cannot live. But the ego is worldly life must be controlled by divine wisdom.

The story runs that Vinayagar and Vyasa participated in a challenge whereby Vyasa would recite the Mahabharatam without a pause and Vinayagar would write it down without stopping. In those days they wrote on palm leaves with a thick stylus.

However, halfway, Vinayagar’s stylus broke but he quickly broke off His tusk to continue, writing without stopping.

This story indicates that we should be willing to make sacrifices for any noble cause.

STOTRAS AND MANTRAS 

It is said that by reciting Vinayaga Stotras, mantras, and Thevaram songs we create energy that activates divine faculties in our consciousness. This helps remove obstacles that hamper our material and spiritual progress. What is required is patience and perseverance. We must apply the Pasa and Ankusa.

Also, when we concentrate on Vinayagar and sing His praises, we awaken the divine potential in us.

Reciting the following mantra is said to bring auspiciousness:

Aum Sri Ganesaya Namah

Aum Sri Ganesaya Namah

Aum Sri Maha Ganapathiyae Namah

Aum Sri Gam Ganapathiyae Namah.

VINAYAGAR WORSHIP

Vinayagar worship is very simple. It is the most informal too. If we do not have a statue or picture of Him, no problem. We can make a conical shape out of clay, earth, wet turmeric powder, or Santhanam (sandalwood) paste and it becomes Vinayagar automatically. Even a rock or a tree with some bearing to his shape can be worshipped.

VINAYAGAR FORMS

Vinayagar is usually said to have 32 different forms.Among the important forms are: Bala Ganapati, Taruna Ganapati, Bhakti Ganapati, Vigheswara, Veera Ganapati, Sakti Ganapati, Dvaja Ganapati, Siddhi Vinayagar, Uchista Ganapati, Ekatanta Ganapati, Shristi Vinayagar, Thundi Vinayagar, Yoga Vinayagar, Vighnaraja, Kshipra Ganapati, Heramba Ganapathi.

VINAYAGAR CHATURTHI CELEBRATIONS

Vinayagar Chaturthi is grandly celebrated in Malaysia. All Vinayagar temples celebrate this festival. Other temples also often celebrate it, especially if there is no Vinayagar temple in that area.

Vinayagar Chaturthi falls on the 4th day of the new moon in the month of Aavani (August-September). The celebration at home is simple. A day earlier the whole house is thoroughly cleaned.

Everyone wakes up early. They take their bath. Fresh mango leaves are tied in a row at the doorway of the house. Usually, ten mango leaves are used.

A banana leaf is placed at the altar or on a platform in the prayer room which has been decorated with koelam. Rice is placed on the leaf.

A clay or earth figure of Lord Ganesha is made and then placed on the rice. A garland of arugampul (a type of common grass) is placed on the figure. Three betel leaves and slices of areca nut are placed beside.

The presence of Lord Ganesha is then invoked through the recitation of mantras.

We then perform the pooja where we welcome Him as an honored guest and offer him food and homage. We surrender unto Him.No one is allowed to touch the figure during the prayers. As far as the Bhakta is concerned it is Vinayagar who is present and receiving his homage and oblations.

The following day, the Vinayagar figure is removed from the altar and taken to either a stream, a pond, a lake, a river, or the sea and immersed in the water.

During the pooja, the figure is not considered earth or turmeric, or clay. It is God. After the pooja, it becomes earth or turmeric or clay again.

Why use the earth to make His shape? Because the earth is the basis for our own life.  It is our support and it provides us with sustenance.

We are reminded to take care of the earth and not to defile it. All that lives depend on the earth. All life is united by the earth. Again Vinayagar worship reminds us of unity in diversity.

We immerse the earth in water. What is the significance of doing so?  When earth and water combine life flourishes. To the agriculturalists, especially water and earth take on godlike proportions. We are reminded to use them well and not to abuse them.

The water represents the unchanging reality while the earth represents the changing and apparently real. Therefore when we immerse the earth figure in the water, we are reminded that the unchanging Reality, the formless, is worshipped with the aid of the perishing non-reality, the formful. It reminds us that forms and rituals are aids to our goal. We should go beyond them and realize the Supreme which is beyond names and forms. We must transcend the world of forms in order to attain Sivagati.

Prayer to the god-with-form can lead to deep devotion and one-pointedness so essential to transcending the senses and achieving union with God.

Except for Rishis and Jnanis, the rest of mankind uses some form of symbol or other in worship. The Hindus are courageous enough to admit it openly and put these symbols to good use while almost all others do not admit it. The symbols help Hindus understand the indescribable better.

The immersion of the earth figure into the water and its subsequent loss of existence denotes that man the ego-centric individual must allow himself to be absorbed by and into God. He must lose his individuality to gain unity with the Supreme.

Vinayagar Chaturthi helps us realize the unity of all life. It teaches us to drop off our ego-centric, individualism for God-centered universalism.

Subam

WHEN MAN MEETS THE SIDDHAS 6

I used to wonder why Agathiyar called me to his worship and path through a Nadi reading. I had a habit of learning the subject, any subject for the matter that comes my way. This paved the way for me to appreciate whatever I was doing. Although the Nadi reader led me on a puja or worship of the Siddhas after the reading, introducing me to the numerous names of the Siddhas that made their way into the book of "Siddhar Potri Thoguppu", that was all I had to go with then. I began to search and research about the Siddhas. I did not cover much ground and became frustrated when I came back empty visiting the numerous establishments that carried Agathiyar's name. I then took up reading about them. When I read about the Siddhas, they seem mythical, legendary, and mystical. They seemed alien and out of reach of us. I knew they were revered and worshipped by many. They were generally associated with the ability to perform Siddhis or magic and were experts in the preparation of herbal medicines. This is how they were portrayed. So what was my role in all this? Should I just worship them just as we worship the Gods and Goddesses in the temples? With the coming of Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of Kallar Ashram and Agathiyar in the form of a bronze statue in 2005 and 2010 respectively, all these perceptions fell apart. Agathiyar came as a teacher in the form of Tavayogi. Agathiyar came to "life" in his metal statue. Soon he came to reside with us in our homes. 

Agathiyar in coming into my life caused a great impact that resulted in ripples sent out in all directions. I had to share all the goodness that came my way after taking up his call, otherwise, it would be akin to doing injustice to him. That is the only way I could repay him for his kindness, compassion, love, and concern. Agathiyar was shown to me as God by Tavayogi initially in 2005 who proclaimed him as God in அருள் ஞான ஜோதியே அகத்தின் ஜோதி தனிப்பெரும் கடவுளே அகத்தீசர் ஆவார். Tavayogi placed Agathiyar's 6-foot fiber statue at his Ashram for seekers to worship. Tavayogi who took me along on his regular morning walk, the morning after I arrived at his Ashram, surprised me by telling me that Agathiyar came the night before and enquired what he was going to give me. I was perplexed and asked him how Agathiyar came to him. He revealed that Agathiyar came in the form of light when he gave him darshan in the Kallar hills behind his Ashram. Just before I left his Ashram to return to Malaysia he told me that Agathiyar was the breath or Vaasi and gave me a breathing technique to put into practice. Moving ahead to the year 2013, Tavayogi told me that Agathiyar was Shiva indeed. Later in 2016, we were told to look out for Agathiyar on our journey to India and identify and pay our obeisance to him. He came in the form of a lady in all the temples we visited. This was later confirmed by Agathiyar's messengers. Indeed the divine comes in numerous forms and names. Recently a devotee after seeing his numerous manifestations asked him what his true form was? He asked her back what was it that she experienced and felt in carrying out puja, charity, service, etc. She thought for a moment and replied அதிர்வு or a vibration. "I am that" replied Agathiyar. 

Agathiyar in this journey has shown us that our findings and explorations shall never stand the test of time. Ramalinga Adigal standing on the 15th rung of the spiritual ladder describes the 23rd. He adds that there are many more levels that words cannot describe. All our problems and the tense states stem from holding on to the results and one's opinions as final. Once the earth was thought to be flat. Now it is exposed that it was propaganda conceived by a writer. Now we have proof that the world is round given the numerous space explorations that man has undertaken. What we need is a paradigm shift in our perspective. When we see them in a new light we tend to accept the change. We should be prepared to accept new findings, concepts, and understanding. 

If all the above took place after I took up his call to come to his path, what happens when we let the Siddhas into our lives? Things change. For a start, our fate is rewritten bringing upon a new destiny. When the Siddhas come into our lives the planets shall turn favorable to us and shall form an alliance with us and becoming guru to some. The perspective and time-held fear that these planets when they come under a designated alignment shall bring forth unfavorable effects and results are only true till we step into the shadows of the Siddhas. Coming under their wings we learn to see the hardship and pain inflicted on us and the financial losses that come our way as lessons to enhance our learning while here. 

We begin to see the divine hand of the Siddhas in all our undertakings. They either come to bar, stop, put on hold or delay certain things should they foresee the results of our venture to be unfavorable to us. At times they even stand apart and watch us go through the rapids in life but are ever ready to save us from drowning, the reason being that we have to live out our past karma or have to live through those essential and much-needed experiences. At other times, they push us into taking on jobs, tasks, and missions that bring on favorable results to oneself, the society, and all of the universe. We began to see their divine hand move the chess pieces in our favor once we surrendered to them in totality. In accommodating and going with the flow rather than standing our ground and battling it all alone, in surrender we saw him move us swiftly through the game, ending everything in our favor. Our purpose in taking birth and in life is then slowly revealed. Every detail in our life is then geared towards enhancing the soul to gain Soul Power or Atma Balam. 

Their presence is seen in our everyday affairs. For instance just as my wife was about to sign up for a seven-day course in treatment for her frozen shoulder at an Ayurvedic center over the past weekend, I received a call from the management of the center telling me that I was late for my appointment. I explained that I was already there consulting their physician. On further enquiring, I came to know that I had brought my wife to another branch of theirs that was a stone's throw away. I had no idea that I had registered an appointment with them and had stepped into another. But that should not be a problem though as they came under one umbrella, right? When I replied that their branch had accepted my wife and was counseling her on the treatment, the caller insisted that I come over for treatment to the other center as they were waiting to treat my wife. I was puzzled as to how the treatment was pending and waiting when we were currently engaged in and in the midst of consulting the physician about her treatment. We excused ourselves and headed to the main center. Amongst this confusion as to which branch was to treat her, the appointment and her scheduled consultation and treatment were delayed by an hour and a half. We were well received at the main center and shown another physician. What surprised us was that this physician prescribed an entirely different treatment. As they had a tight schedule the physician told us that her treatment could only start earliest in April. Accepting the reality that many were in line to receive treatment and as we prepared to leave, we were surprised when my wife was invited to start the treatment immediately. She spent another hour having the masseuse work on her arm and shoulder. What exactly took place is still a question that was not answered? My wife has had her appointment to undergo surgery postponed at times or hastened and quickened many a time in the past, by the divine hand of Agathiyar. We took it in our stride as we knew that Agathiyar knows best. Although we are still puzzled and in a daze as to what took place and the turn of events in favor of us that day, we are sure that he had a hand in this too as usual. My wife as usual turned to me and said he (Agathiyar) said reveal in the near future. Who can fathom their play?

When my daughter broke her leg in a road accident, seeing our concern that she attend and complete her internship, the doctor at the emergency ward suggested the Ilizarov apparatus, a type of external fixation used in orthopedic surgery to treat open bone fractures, be fixed on her limb. "That should enable her to walk in a month's time and see through her internship too", said the doctor. She was cast in back slab or half-cast and sent to the wards while waiting for the operation theatre to be available. The next morning the visiting senior doctor who made his rounds at the wards questioned us the need for the Ilizarov apparatus telling us that as she was only twenty her bones should mend in three months. We took his advice. Her leg was cast in full and sent home. Unfortunately, after four months her broken bone did not mend as expected. She fell within the 5 percent of patients who end up in the category of nonunion. The attending doctor now had no choice but to place a titanium plate in her leg. He showed us the long rod and began to describe the procedure. We were close to tears. Strangely though after going through the procedure with us the good doctor suggested an alternative where we would have to bear the cost of bringing in a machine over, though he would be attending to the procedure. We agreed to take up this option as long as she is not operated on. He went on to explain the procedure that he intended to carry out. It was called ACP or platelet-rich plasma therapy used extensively in treating sports injuries in the USA. It is "a form of regenerative medicine that can harness those abilities and amplify the natural growth factors our body uses to heal tissue taking after studies in recent years, where doctors have learned that the body has the ability to heal itself." (Source: https://www.hss.edu/condition-list_prp-injections.asp) We saw positive results - new bone growth within days. She walks normally today minus the metal thanks to Agathiyar and his timely intervention through the doctors. Who can fathom their play?

In the Nadi reading that followed after my initiation into the path of the Siddhas with several others from Tavayogi, Agathiyar told me to get initiated again. Both Tavayogi and I were surprised on hearing the order from Agathiyar. He initiated me though. Surprisingly the Nadi reading too was erased mysteriously after the second initiation. Agathiyar who had previously referred me to the local affiliate of Tavayogi's peedham in Malaysia switched me to come directly under the tutorship of Tavayogi in a subsequent re-reading. Who can fathom their play?

When my wrought iron window frames began to crumble and fall apart I knew it was time to replace them in my home of 27 years. As I drove by my neighbor's house I happen to see a worker mix concrete. I asked him if he could replace my windows. He told me that he would get back to me. But instead of him, my neighbor turned up at my door telling me that he shall do it. He did a fine job. He offered to do up my kitchen counter too and added a bonus. He painted my kitchen for no fee. Seeing his workmanship I introduced him to another neighbor. Another dropped by and asked him over to replace his windows too. Another neighbor opposite him pointed out a few more jobs at his home too. Surprisingly to this day he never turned up at their homes to carry out these jobs till this day. One would think that no one in his sensible mind would let go of job opportunities, right? After completing his work at my home he surprised me by telling me that he was only doing the work and for the price he quoted "because of your tokong" which means "because of your God." Who can fathom their play?

Suren's journey to several places in India that was carefully planned and laid out was hijacked by Agathiyar too. Agathiyar later told him later in the Jeeva Nadi read at Kallar Ashram by Tavayogi that he had halted Suren's plans to go on a tour of temples and had instead brought him to his peak at Pothigai. Who can fathom their play?

These days even before we verbalize our thoughts he answers us. That is how a question as to what one should ask of God as an ultimate wish was answered even before it was put into words and spoken. 

This is how Agathiyar once he comes into our lives decides what is best for us. Bharathi knew the power of surrender for he sang the following verses to God, 

தன்செய லெண்ணித் தவிப்பது தீர்ந்திங்கு

நின்செயல் செய்து நிறைவு பெறும்வண்ணம்

நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன், கண்ணம்மா

நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன் 

from the song 

நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன், கண்ணம்மா

நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன்

பொன்னை, உயர்வை, புகழை விரும்பிடும்

என்னை கவலைகள் தின்ன தகாதென..

நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன், கண்ணம்மா

நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன்

மிடிமையும் அச்சமும் மேவி என் நெஞ்சில்

குடிமை புகுந்தன, கொன்று அவை போக்கின

தன்செய லெண்ணித் தவிப்பது தீர்ந்திங்கு

நின்செயல் செய்து நிறைவு பெறும்வண்ணம்

நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன், கண்ணம்மா

நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன்

நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன், கண்ணம்மா

நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன்

துன்பம் இனி இல்லை, சோர்வில்லை

சோர்வில்லை, தோற்பில்லை

நல்லது தீயது நாமறியோம்

நாமறியோம் நாமறியோம்

அன்பு நெறியில் அறங்கள் வளர்த்திட

நல்லது நாட்டுக! தீமையை ஓட்டுக

நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன், கண்ணம்மா

நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன்

WHEN MAN MEETS THE SIDDHAS 5

A turning point on our journey came when Agathiyar brought an abrupt end to all forms of worship that were initiated by him in the first place, nurtured by the gurus, and enhanced by upagurus. Another was when he told us to drop all external forms of activities including charity and go within. This happened a year and a half ago. We began to observe Patanjali's Yoga as Agathiyar pulled the plug on Sariyai and Kriyai and brought us to Yogam and Jnana. 

Recently he told us that he has had enough of praise showered on him through puja and rituals. Agathiyar also added that he had enough of hearing us praise and speak of the feats of the Siddhas. "When are you going to become one and join our folds?", he asks. He told us to attempt to become Siddhas too. 

Beginning with the art of right living they worked on the body to gear it up into top form and become a conducive receptor and vessel to achieve greater spiritual heights. Agathiyar wants us to indulge in and adopt and carry the way of life, as practiced by the Siddhas or சித்தர் வழக்கை நெறி முறை. Agathiyar told us that he was only sharing the time-tested practices that the Siddhas themselves had carried out in the past that had contributed to their current state. Together with Ramalinga Adigal and Tavayogi, they began pushing and working on us to ensure we adhere to and follow the diet and yogic practices prescribed and given respectively. Besides giving tips and lessons, they worked on our inside without our knowledge bringing on unexplained changes. Then the shift moved towards the soul bringing on complete transformation from within. Our effort ends there. The divine takes charge. Agathiyar brings Ramalinga Adigal to aid us in tapping into the consciousness. With the coming of the divine within all the favorable aspects of the much-needed change take place without our doing and spontaneously. 

All the simple instructions they gave us since the start of this journey some 18 years ago are making sense today as we begin to see the reasons behind them and see the workings and the accompanying results. The Siddhas are slowly enlightening us step by step on the mystical knowledge and experience that has been shrouded in a veil all this while. If Agathiyar asked us to adopt and live the life of a Siddha and become a full-fledge Siddha, understanding the present circumstances, Bhogar came along to ask us to at least attempt to become half a Siddha. I have come to realize that when the Siddhas ask us to follow a path, way, teaching, practice, or method they shall also make it available and make it conducive for us to attain and achieve its results. It never was a wild goose chase unless they intended us to learn a lesson from it too. 

We have had the grace of the divine throughout our journey. We had been guided well by some great masters from the Siddha lineage. The masters in the lineage rejoice in seeing the seed germinate and bloom for many newcomers and rejoice in seeing their long-lost children head back home after a long interval and absence. 

It is also said that man recreates himself through his children. I am my father, my grandfather, and my ancestors before me. I shall be my child and their descendants too. We carry both the blessings and the curses of our forefathers. Just as we seek their blessings the merits we earn help our ancestors to settle their debts and hence settle the score. 

Living a life full of joy, the child grows up into a teen and youth. The youth grows up. Soon he fathers a child and faces his share of responsibilities. Towards the end of his life, when he has settled all his responsibilities towards his family, he begins to serve his community and society. Soon he begins to look for salvation for himself and pursues the spiritual path. He brings others along too. For one who succeeds to bridge the gap, meet up with the divine, it is generally claimed that 21 of his generations gain moksha. They rejoice in seeing their kin make it to the tallest peak in spirituality hence bringing a close to the karma of 21 generations of his. Manusmriti 3:37 claims that "A son who performs meritorious acts, absolves the sins of 21 generations; he liberates ten generations of his ancestors, ten generations of his descendants and his current generation." They are all freed. A story is told of how Agathiyar freed his ancestors who were cursed to hang upside down from a tree. 

Agathiyar never wanted to marry and have children. But he was haunted by the vision of his ancestors hanging upside down over a bottomless abyss. There they would stay, they howled, until he married, fathered children, and helped them be reborn. (Source: https://devdutt.com/articles/the-sage-who-went-south/)

Agathiyar in the Nadi told us that having become an accomplished Siddha, Shiva called him aside and told him that he wanted to see him with a companion just as he had Parvathi with him. Hence the reason Agathiyar sought Lopama in marriage.

Just as our ancestors watch in joy seeing our achievements and accomplishments, similarly, our merits help uplift the state of the guru just as the guru is responsible for the student's upliftment. Just as there are the மும்மூர்த்தி or trinity looking over all matters, I was blessed to have Supramania Swami, Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal, and Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar, who were shown to me and looked over my shoulders. Supramania Swami introduced me to Guru Bhakti or patronage to the Guru. Rengaraja Desigar was synonymous with the Siddhas and the foundation stone and catalyst who brought the path and the way of the Siddhas to the masses, including to our shores through his followers. And finally, Tavayogi came to toil the ground, plant the seed in us, nurture and water it, and personally groom and trim the bush to stand out in all its majesty and withstand the onslaught of adverse weather. I watched and learned much from him and his experience. They have become my trinity in Siddha worship. 

I am blessed to have met all three gurus. They showed me the way and means and stepped aside for me to mark and travel my own journey, and to experience all that life had in store for me. I was free to do as please. I was free to investigate and experiment. I was free to venture and learn. I was not shackled with dogmas and restrictions. Neither did they pamper us but instead insisted we perform the tasks given, coming back frequently to ask if we were doing it. They did not make us into their clones. We each had an identity although we took to the same path. The beautiful thing about all these gurus is that they never claimed ownership over me. Neither did I hang on to them like a parasite. I took only their teachings and journeyed along knowing pretty well that they were always with me. These gurus showed us the simplest way to gain the grace or arul of the entire pantheon of Gods and Goddesses. I never dreamt that I shall come face to face with the Siddhas, though the form they took were many. I never imagined that just by showing devotion and love to Erai, and a simple recitation of the names of the Siddhas could open a portal to the other world. Agathiyar brought all the Gods and Goddesses, the Siddhas, rishis, munis, devas, and the whole kingdom of Erai down each time at prayer. Today even if Supramania Swami and Tavayogi are not in the physical form, I know that they are with us in spirit. Both these gurus have visited my home in subtle ways. The Siddhas have attested to their presence. 

We too have come to feel their presence among us and in all our undertakings. They come to suggest, encourage, and drive us, blessing us with success in these endeavors that are to their liking. As to those envisioned and driven by us they either bless and come to our aid or stop, delay or divert us if the end results are to be detrimental to us. Deep within me, I knew that the Siddhas and my gurus had a big part in every instance of my life. They never claimed credit for it though. They save us from falling into a pit, or from suffering, and acquiring financial losses. I dread to think of life if I had fallen for the lure of bright lights and been lead elsewhere, astray, or stumbled on something else and got caught in its web of false belief, codes, and doctrines for life. 

Adopting the numerous songs of saints and Siddhas as our prayer we saw its results. These experiences, in turn, came to be incorporated in the lyrics of the song "Ariya Payanam" from our album "Agathiyar Geetham", an audio compilation in honor of Agathiyar, an idea mooted by Tavayogi and Gowri Arumugam. We took inspiration for the lyrics from the many scriptures, upadesam from our gurus, and our experiences walking the path shown.  This song that describes the four stages we traveled beautifully translates our journey into words. All this was made possible by the invisible divine hand of Agathiyar. 

பாராட்டு பாடல் (அறியா பயணம்)

அனு பல்லவி

அறியா பயணம் தொடர்ந்தோமே நாம் இங்கே
அழியா நிலை பெற்றோமே
மௌன ஞானம் நீயும் அளிக்க
கருணை விழி நீ திறக்க
என்ன தவமோ என்ன வரமோ
உனது பதம் சரண் அடைய
ஈசா அகத்தீசா தரிசனம் நீ தந்தாய்

பல்லவி

போற்றிட போற்றிட துன்பங்கள் விழகிட
போற்றிட போற்றிட நோய் விலக
போற்றிட போற்றிட துயர் மறைய
அருள் பொழிவாய் குருவே

தந்தன தந்தன கவசமாய் நின்றிட
தந்தன தந்தன திரைவிலக
தந்தன தந்தன ஞானத்தை பெற
ஒளியாய் மாறினோம்

அறியா பயணம் தொடர்ந்தோமே நாம் இங்கே
அழியா நிலை பெற்றோமே

அறியா பயணம் தொடர்ந்தோமே நாம் இங்கே
அழியா நிலை பெற்றோமே

சரணம் 1

குரு நான் என்று அறிமுகம் செய்தவர்
ஊழ்வினையை அறிய செய்தாய்
யாகம் அதில் சுடர் ஒளியாய்
வினையாவும் நீயே ஏற்றாய்

ஞானம் அது வழங்கிட வந்தவர்
ஞான கோட்டம் வந்தமர்ந்தாய்
அன்னம் இட அமுத சுரபியாய்
பசியாவும் தீர்த்தாய்

இவ் வாழ்வின் பயன் கண்டோம்
இனி ஏது துயரம் அப்பா
உந்தன் நாமம் இங்கு சொல்ல சொல்ல
மனம் சாந்தம் நிரம்பி இங்கு வழியுதே

அட உன்மேலே ஆசை அப்பா
என் மெய் எல்லாம் குளிர்ந்ததப்பா
மதி நிறைந்து ஒளிர்ந்ததப்பா
நீயே பரமானந்தம்

போற்றிட போற்றிட துன்பங்கள் விழகிட
போற்றிட போற்றிட நோய் விலக
போற்றிட போற்றிட துயர் மறைய
அருள் பொழிவாய் குருவே

தந்தன தந்தன கவசமாய் நின்றிட
தந்தன தந்தன திரைவிலக
தந்தன தந்தன ஞானத்தை பெற
ஒளியாய் மாறினோம்

சரணம் 2

ஓர் மகனாய் உன்னிடம் வந்தேன்
சாலோக்கிய நிலை அறிந்தேன்
சரியை பின் கிரியை உணர்ந்தேன்
சாமீப்பியமாக நின்றாய்

யோகத்தால் அமுதம் பரவிட
சாரூப்பிய படி அடைந்தேன்
ஞானத்தின் கதவு திறந்திட இனி
சாயுச்சியம் எந்நாளோ

இந்நிலையை நான் அடைய
சற்குருவாய் வந்தாய் அப்பா
உன்தன் அழகை இங்கு ரசிக்க ரசிக்க
மனம் பரவசமாகி மகிழுதே

அட உன்மேலே ஆசை அப்பா
என் மெய் எல்லாம் குளிர்ந்ததப்பா
மதி நிறைந்து ஒளிர்ந்ததப்பா
நீயே பரமானந்தம்

போற்றிட போற்றிட துன்பங்கள் விழகிட
போற்றிட போற்றிட நோய் விலக
போற்றிட போற்றிட துயர் மறைய
அருள் பொழிவாய் குருவே

தந்தன தந்தன கவசமாய் நின்றிட
தந்தன தந்தன திரைவிலக
தந்தன தந்தன ஞானத்தை பெற
ஒளியாய் மாறினோம்

அறியா பயணம் தொடர்ந்தோமே
நாம் இங்கே
அழியா நிலை பெற்றோமே
மௌன ஞானம் நீயும் அளிக்க

கருணை விழி நீ திறக்க

என்ன தவமோ என்ன வரமோ
உனது பதம் சரண் அடைய
ஈசா அகத்தீசா தரிசனம் நீ தந்தாய்

போற்றிட போற்றிட துன்பங்கள் விழகிட

போற்றிட போற்றிட நோய் விலக
போற்றிட போற்றிட துயர் மறைய
அருள் பொழிவாய் குருவே

தந்தன தந்தன கவசமாய் நின்றிட
தந்தன தந்தன திரைவிலக
தந்தன தந்தன ஞானத்தை பெற
ஒளியாய் மாறினோம்

WHEN MAN MEETS THE SIDDHAS 4

What would you ask God if he comes to you? 

During the early years of my search on the Siddhas, when many seekers asked about their family and career, problems and troubles, illnesses and diseases, and asked for their desires and ambitions to be fulfilled I abstained from asking for anything for the good Lord had given and furnished me with all that I needed. Though I carried a desire to see both Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal and conveyed this desire to Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal after getting to know him, Tavayogi replied casually that it was possible for them to appear before us implying that it was no big deal but he added asking me if that was what I wanted, prompting me to re-evaluate my seeking, desire, and yearning. I knew then that that was not THE thing to ask for. He made this desire and yearning of mine seem petty in comparison to much bigger things that I presumed were available "in-store". Taking the hint and the cue from Tavayogi's answer I understood that there ought to be something much bigger and beyond this, something much lasting rather than these fleeting moments of joy and bliss in seeing them or having their darshan. I realized that what was needed was a total transformation of the Self in all matters and manners. 

Traveling the path I came across many seekers who spoke excitedly about raising the Kundalini and enquired the means to it. I asked myself what use was this to a layman like me who was deeply rooted in family bonds and society. I did not venture to wake up the sleeping giant. Let the sleeping giant sleep.

Many seekers spoke about the Siddhis that the Siddhas performed yearning to do similar feats. Again I questioned the need for this. I came across a story shared by Srinatha Raghavan of the needlessness of gaining Siddhis in this era of science and technology, an opinion that I share too. A master boastfully carried out the feat of walking over the surface of the water before the wise and saintly Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. The wise saint watching him perform the feat cheered him on but at the end of the "show" told him off quite bluntly that by engaging a boatman for a small token the boatman could have easily taken him across to the other bank. 

A great Spiritual Adept and Master (Name withheld) once happened to meet Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa on the banks of the Ganges. After the initial pleasantries, the old Adept told Sri Thakur, "Let me show you something remarkable?" Telling so, he entered the flowing waters of the Ganges only to walk over it, without drowning. Sri Thakur seeing this one perform the stunt, danced and clapped like a child.

When the Water Walking Master came back to the shore, Sri Ramakrishna went into Samadhi and muttered inaudibly, "Why have you wasted so much time and effort, when you could have paid the boatman a few Annas and he would have steered you to the other shore?"

Sri Thakur then implored the other Master, with tears in his eyes, "Please promise me to drop all this magic show and be sincere towards the Ultimate goal?"

Ah! That's real spiritual beauty and grandeur. That gentleness of speech and spirit is what is sorely missed in todays freak shows.

When many seekers secretly desired to get their hands on the Nadi that could reveal the deep secrets of the universe and creation; the past, present, and future, and many more, I never heeded the gift that was in waiting thanks to the grooming from Tavayogi to drop my attachment to all things. When Suresh of Tiruvannamalai showed him a Rudraksha seed and asked if he should wear that, Tavayogi gave him the green light and a few words of advice as to how to adorn the sacred seed. Turning to me he told me that we do not need it. He next turned his gaze on me and the gem-studded gold ring and the Rasamani I wore on me. Off it went "through the window" when he told me that we do not need them. 

When there was a craze to attain Mukti or salvation that was put across in conversations among seekers, I came across Ramalinga Adigal mentioning in his Tiruarutpa that that too was not the ultimate seeking. A fb sharing sheds some light on this state.

When Agathiyar came around asking each of us what we wanted, again I had nothing to ask of him. He kept waiting for my reply. I began to ask myself what was it that truly came from me that I could give him. Furnishing and decorating him with garlands, and serving food or prasad were in fact giving back to him what he has given us in the form of flowers and grains, etc. I realized that I had nothing to my credit to offer. My contribution would be insignificant for everything was created, given, and provided by him. After much thought, I figured that the only thing I could give was my effort. I then told him that I wished to take birth again and again and serve him as I did now. He quipped if that was what I wanted, echoing the words of Tavayogi. I knew that instant that he would gift me with the boon but that was not THE thing to ask for. I finally surrendered and told him that I do not know what to ask for, for I feared that it might not be THE thing to ask. We both left it at that. 

Turning to my friend and devotee later over the phone, although we had no idea what it was and what we were asking for, we asked ourselves if we should ask for Gnanam as always extolled by Tavayogi. Tavayogi had since day one mooted us to move away from Sariyai and temple worship and reach out for Gnanam. When Agathiyar came around again he surprised me telling me that I had asked for Gnanam and went on to define Gnanam and explain the means to attain the state. He told us clearly that it was not a state given or gifted to us but we have to work for it by going within. The culmination of our experiences that arise within as a result of this travel within is Gnanam and it shall differ from person to person. 

Thinking that that was the ultimate state to be sought for, we were in for yet another surprise. The ultimate asking dawned from within in those silent hours of contemplation and meditation in the midst of the Siddhas. It dawned on me that to seek his kingdom and to be one with his entourage (வாழையடி வாழை என வந்த திருக்கூட்டம்). This wish was put forth. Ramalinga Adigal came to endorse that this is what one should ask for. It is the ultimate yearning and desire that one should have. Instead of singling out and prioritizing our desires, and asking from this existing long list, with the entry into their ranks, all that is listed and everything else shall come into being and within our reach. 

WHEN MAN MEETS THE SIDDHAS 3

After taking up their call in the Nadi, as I had no idea who the Siddhas were, I searched for ways to reach out to them. I did not have to search far and wide though. The search was made easy as attested and acknowledged by Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal many years later. After receiving the call to come to the path through the Nadi reading, I was shown a simple prayer to the Siddhas by the Nadi reader. The way and the means were shown through a simple ritual without the need to seek elsewhere, without cost, and without any struggle. The approach to invoke the blessings of the Siddhas consisted of the simple recitation of their names. Right at my doorstep were several societies and organizations that adorned, carried, and were run under Agathiyar's name. Seeking to know further about the numerous names that made their way into the book of "Siddhargal Potri Thoguppu", I began visiting several of these establishments. Although I did observe many things I did not learn anything additional about the Siddhas apart from what was commonplace then. These institutions were more engrossed in feeding the hungry. Puja was rare too in their circles. Temple worship was taboo. They were aligned more to clan and cult. I then turned my sights to books on the Siddhas. I looked into the pages of the books I bought and read seeking to know these Siddhas. But these books were repetitive too carrying the same mythological stories of the Siddhas. I was seeking real-life experiences from others on the path. No one could fill me in in this area. I turned to worship of the Siddhas in my own home. Soon I began to compile the songs of praise to Siddhas for my personal home puja, taking from the numerous resources that were spread over several volumes of books. With the coming of other seekers to AVM, this compilation saw its way into their hands and their homes too. Besides songs of praise, there were songs that pleaded the Siddhas to accept the seeker into their folds. These songs caught my attention and I recited them. Soon these songs manifested into reality too. For instance, taking up the prayer by Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar seeking the Siddhas to lead and show him the way, materialized in good time. 

அகத்தீசா உனது சீடர்களாகிய ஒன்பது கோடி பேரும் என்னை சூழ்ந்திருந்து நான் விரும்பியதெல்லாம் முடித்து வைப்பதோடு மட்டுமல்லாது உன்னுடைய மலையாகிய பொதிகைக்கு என்னை அழைத்துவர என்னை சீடனாக நீ ஏற்றுக்கொள்ள வேண்டும். நான் உய்வதற்கு அருள் புரிய வேண்டும். உனது அருள் பூரணமாக பெற்றல் வேண்டும்.

This prayer that I kept reciting brought Tavayogi to volunteer to take me to all the sacred abodes of the Siddhas in the jungles many years later. He would point to the sky; he would make me aware of the sweet aroma that lingered around us as we made our journey into the woods and as we stayed in their caves; and he would point out the cool breeze that brushed across our faces and chilled our backs telling me that the Siddhas were ushering us, accompanying and following us, and showering flower petals on us. Although I would look back at him with astonishment and disbelief I chose to remain silent, and move in tandem and go with the flow, never questioning his sanity even for a moment. Today we realize the truth in his words since experience has taught us much. 

Another such song that brought on amazing results was,

ஐயனே போற்றி போற்றி அருள்பெற்ற தேவே போற்றி
மெய்யனே போற்றி போற்றி மெய்சுடர் அணிந்தாய் போற்றி
கையனே போற்றி போற்றி காசினி முனிவா போற்றி
உய்யனே எனையாட் கொண்ட உந்தியில் உதிக்குந்தேவே
உந்தியிலுதிக்குந்தேவே ஒருபொருள் உகந்தாய் போற்றி
சிந்தையில் நினைந்த போதே திருநாட மிட்டாய் போற்றி
வந்தித்தேன் உந்தன் பாதம் வானமுந் திறந்தாய் போற்றி

அந்தித்தேன் குருவே ஐயா அடியினைப் போற்றி போற்றி

The line "வந்தித்தேன் உந்தன் பாதம் வானமுந் திறந்தாய் போற்றி", saw Agathiyar open the gates to heaven and bring the heavenly and saintly ones down in droves into our homes. Apart from these songs of praises and pleadings, I picked up those that described the mystical experiences of the saints like Manickavasagar and Ramalinga Adigal, who sang of the bliss in reaching out to the divine. These songs truly touched the soul as we began to sing them too. We were often drenched in tears singing their divine compositions. We could relate to these songs. Recently Agathiyar came to endorse the need to sing these songs to gain the said experiences. If during the previous years we spent the night conducting rituals and singing Lord Shiva's praise during Sivarathri, in 2020, we called on Lord Shiva to grant his blessing by opening the "door" singing Ramalinga Adigal's song சிவயோக நிலை or Sivayoka Nilai. 

1. மதிமண்ட லத்தமுதம் வாயார உண்டே

பதிமண்ட லத்தரசு பண்ண - நிதிய

நவநேய மாக்கும் நடராஜ னேயெஞ்

சிவனே கதவைத் திற.

2. இந்தார் அருளமுதம் யானருந்தல் வேண்டுமிங்கே

நந்தா மணிவிளக்கே ஞானசபை - எந்தாயே

கோவே எனது குருவே எனையாண்ட

தேவே கதவைத் திற.

3. சாகா அருளமுதம் தானருந்தி நான்களிக்க

நாகா திபர்சூழ் நடராஜா - ஏகா

பவனே பரனே பராபரனே எங்கள்

சிவனே கதவைத் திற.

4. அருளோங்கு தண்ணமுதம் அன்பால் அருந்தி

மருள்நீங்கி நான்களித்து வாழப் - பொருளாந்

தவநேயர் போற்றும் தயாநிதியே எங்கள்

சிவனே கதவைத் திற.

5. வானோர்க் கரிதெனவே மாமறைகள் சாற்றுகின்ற

ஞானோ தயஅமுதம் நானருந்த - ஆனாத்

திறப்பா வலர்போற்றும் சிற்றம் பலவா

சிறப்பா கதவைத் திற.

6. எல்லாமும் வல்லசித்தென் றெல்லா மறைகளுஞ்சொல்

நல்லார் அமுதமது நானருந்த - நல்லார்க்கு

நல்வாழ் வளிக்கும் நடராயா மன்றோங்கு

செல்வா கதவைத் திற.

7. ஏழ்நிலைக்கும் மேற்பால் இருக்கின்ற தண்ணமுதம்

வாழ்நிலைக்க நானுண்டு மாண்புறவே - கேழ்நிலைக்க

ஆவாஎன் றென்னைஉவந் தாண்டதிரு அம்பலமா

தேவா கதவைத் திற.

8. ஈன உலகத் திடர்நீங்கி இன்புறவே

ஞான அமுதமது நானருந்த - ஞான

உருவே உணர்வே ஒளியே வெளியே

திருவே கதவைத் திற.

9. திரையோ தசத்தே திகழ்கின்ற என்றே

வரையோது தண்ணமுதம் வாய்ப்ப - உரைஓது

வானேஎம் மானேபெம் மானே மணிமன்றில்

தேனே கதவைத் திற.

10. சோதிமலை மேல்வீட்டில் தூய திருவமுதம்

மேதினிமேல் நானுண்ண வேண்டினேன் - ஓதரிய

ஏகா அனேகா எழிற்பொதுவில் வாழ்ஞான

தேகா கதவைத் திற.

(Source: http://www.thiruarutpa.org/thirumurai/v/T270/tm/sivayooka_n-ilai)

To our surprise and delight, Ramalinga Adigal came to help channel the power and energy of the consciousness within throughout the night till dawn. During this year's Sivarathri, Bhogar came at the very onset of the first puja at 6 pm and surprised us by singing this song, asking Lord Shiva to open the door on our behalf. Bhogar announced Lord Shiva's arrival making us aware of his divine presence amidst us. He told us to ask whatever we wanted from Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is known to give boons to all alike, the good, the bad, and the ugly. But we were too spellbound by the chain of events that took place that evening that we could only stand and watch in awe. We stood stunned and speechless not knowing what to ask of the Almighty for he has given us all that we needed. Coming to our senses, as he was waiting for us to speak up, we told him that we had nothing to ask from him, as he has given us all that we needed. 

What would you ask God if he comes to you? 

WHEN MAN MEETS THE SIDDHAS 2

There was a call to come to the path. It was through the Nadi. The first lesson from the Siddhas was that on karma and its effects. After having been threshed and strangled by the effects of our past karma, Agathiyar restored our faith and belief in the divine law and its system. Besides having us experience life as it showers on us the good, bad and ugly, Agathiyar then brought us to rediscover his 5 tenets which he proposed at the Tamil Sangam that serve as the core purpose of human birth.

1. He says that man has to first and foremost understand his purpose in taking birth. The Nadi comes to a layman, seeker or aspirant to reveal his purpose. The Guru comes to the disciple to reveal his purpose. The sadhaka in going within learns his true purpose in taking birth. These are the means man comes to realize the cause of his birth and his mission. To a layman, he is told he took birth because of past karma. To a disciple, he is told that he has come for a mission to undertake for the good of society and mankind. To a Gnani, he realizes that he has come to merge with the divine. 

This reminds me of Dr. Bhani, a Siddha physician and devotee of Agathiyar, who gave a talk in one of the gatherings at a local Peedham many years back. He told us that songs of the saints can carry an inner meaning. They could be seen in an entirely different perspective by people of different standings in life too. For instance the popular song of praise to Lord Ganapathy by Avvai that goes as follows, 

வாக்குண்டாம் நல்ல மனமுண்டாம் மாமலராள்
நோக்குண்டாம் மேனி நுடங்காது - பூக்கொண்டு
துப்பார் திருமேனித் தும்பிக்கையான் பாதம்
தப்பாமல் சார்வார் தமக்கு.

carries three different understandings depending on the status of the listerner. He went on to explain further. As a school-going kid, his class teacher would tell them that it was a song in praise of Lord Ganapathy and was sung in front of the statue or picture of him. Later as he took up Siddha medicine his guru told him that it was purely about medicine and treating illness and disease. When he came under discipleship to his spiritual guru Yogi Ramaiah he was told that it was a song of Gnanam. A single song can carry so many variants of its meaning according to the listener's status. 

If the Dr. stopped short of telling us that it was a herbal preparation, my friend shared the components.

"அவ்வையார் தந்த பாட்டு.

திரு.....திருநீற்று பச்சிலை
மேனி......குப்பைமேனி
தும்பி.....தும்பை
கையான்.... கரிசலாங்கண்ணி
பாதம்.... சிறுசெருப்பாடை
கற்ப மூலிகைகள். பாதம் கிடைக்கவில்லை

The ratio is 1/4:1/2:3/4:1:1&1/4. It is to be taken twice a day, half hour after breakfast and half hour after dinner. For the first 12 days, with honey. For the next 12 days with ghee. Then, a break. Can be taken in 3-monthly intervals."

Traveling in a car, we cannot foresee what is beyond the turn or corner until we traverse the bend. One who flies in a light aircraft or helicopter sees a larger picture. To an astronaut, he sees the whole world. Just as our view expands as we change our mode of travel the Siddha who are in an elevated plane and are spiritually elevated see far and beyond. If man has conquered space the Siddhas who have conquered both space and time could look into the past, present, and future. 

2. With his purpose known then, he should 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). Living a purposeful, meaningful, and fruitful life, coupled with a sense of gratefulness will then bring forth the showering of his blessings. These blessings and the efforts in carrying out his dictates results in the soul gaining strength or Soul Power or Atma Balam. He asked that we show appreciation to the divine that gave us an opportunity to take this birth again to come to terms with it and sort out our lives. 

3. He asks that we then thank all the caretakers both seen and unseen, in the present and the past. 

4. There arises then an obligation on our part to "dutifully aid and help, the ongoing evolution of all co-existing human beings." 

5. 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." (Summarized from Vashisht Vaid's post on his blog https://holysageagathiyar.com/ )

Having introduced us to his 5 tenets, Agathiyar provides all the tools that serve to enhance and enrich our purpose in taking birth. The mission and tasks and their accompanying techniques, methods, and tools work further in strengthening our body, soul, and spirit. To aid in seeing through these 5 tenets in life the Siddhas drew up a concise plan dividing it into four stages namely Sariyai, Kriyai, Yogam, and Gnanam. After following in the footsteps of our parents and ancestors engaging in Sariyai all life long, we are introduced to Kriyai with the coming of a guru. Following in the footsteps of the guru for several more years, we are brought to the next stage that of Yogam, or the science of restoring the health of the physical body and that of the soul. Eventually, Gnanam shall dawn on its own. 

If Agathiyar in his 5 tenets for mankind spelled out the above five responsibilities of man thus fulfilling his purpose in taking a human birth that is considered precious and that is to be treasured, Bhogar shows us the way to rise from man to Siddha. What Bhogar says tallies with the messages given earlier by Agathiyar and Pathanjali too. The 5 Tenets of Bhogar help us to reach midway on the journey or path of the Siddha, attaining at least the state of partial Siddhahood. 

1. Purging the body of toxins accumulated over the years.

Agathiyar Kuzhambu is one such concoction that Agathiyar told us to take for the purpose of cleansing first and later strengthening the physical form. Agathiyar Kuzhambu is said to be one among the 32 Siddha medicines taken internally listed in the "Gunapadam Siddha" text literature, which covers a vast area of indications. It contains 11 ingredients which are mentioned in the Siddha formulary of India - part -1, that when combined act as a purgative. Besides being a purgative it is said to cure many diseases too. The major ingredients of this drug are Perungayam, Kadugu, Induppu, Rasam, Vengaram, Naabi, Manosilai, Omam, Aritharam, Karunjeerakam, Nervalam. (Source: Muralidass SD and Shree-Devi MS: “Agathiyar kuzhambu”- not only a purgative- an overview. Int J Pharm Sci & Res 2019; 10(5): 2156-63. doi: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.10(5).2156-63. and http://ijpsr.com/bft-article/agathiyar-kuzhambu-not-only-a-purgative-an-overview/?view=fulltext)

2. To substitute or replace Rajasic or Tamasic food with Satvic food that includes lots of greens, and fruits. 

Before beginning Yoga, Patanjali had stipulated that we adopt a similar diet to facilitate the body to conform to the demanding needs of Yoga. 

3. To learn to breathe properly by adopting breathing techniques as taught by the Siddhas. 

Tavayogi who officially initiated me into the path of the Siddhas after taking up the call of Agathiyar in the Nadi, initiated and taught us Yoga Asanas and Pranayama techniques, bringing us to have a new insight on the subject and bringing us into the next stage that was Yogam. Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal came frequently to fine-tune and assist further.

4. Bathing the right way so that we do not surprise, jolt or freeze the body and to prevent slag in the nerves in old age as a result of this. 

Agathiyar asks that we sprinkle water thrice over the top of the head and then go on to wet our feet. Then we pour water over our limbs beginning with the legs, moving to the torso and abdomen till the shoulder. Then wash the face thrice and only then pour water over the head. If we are dipping in the stream, river, or ocean we do accordingly too. We are told to retain water in our mouths too while bathing, elsewhere. 

5. Finally Bhogar asks us to appreciate and acknowledge nature and learn to love all of nature and live with it. 

This is the first step in linking with the prapanjam.

WHEN MAN MEETS THE SIDDHAS 1

With the coming of Agathiyar, and in calling us to his path, he added on the worship of him and the rests of the Siddhas to our existing worship and prayers to the whole pantheon of Hindu Gods that was introduced by our parents and ancestors. With the coming of the guru both in the physical and subtle form we were introduced to Kriyai and its associated rituals, bringing us to actively participate in them rather than being passive watchers as in Sariyai and temple worship. We came to understand that we were brought to evolve to the next stage that of Kriyai from Sariyai that was a base and foundation and stepping stone on this wonderful initially religious and later a spiritual journey. In bringing this worship to our doorsteps, Agathiyar engaged the whole family, relatives, and friends to come together, with occasional strangers dropping by out of curiosity. 

If Agathiyar and Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal respectively initiated me to carry out the Abhisegam or libation of his statue and light the Homam in my house, Tavayogi on his visit to Malaysia later fine-tuned these rituals. We observed and learned. Agathiyar besides teaching us and having us put into practice the numerous rituals through his Nadi readings and our guru in physical form, on occasions had the Gods perform them too, having us watch in awe and learn further. In one such instance, Goddess Ma came to perform libation for Agathiyar bringing us to follow her too. If the rituals were slow-paced earlier and took hours until then, we learned from her to speed things up. When Bhogar performed the abhisegam last night in conjunction with Sivarathri, we learned further. Agathiyar in lamenting to us that we have lost the knowledge of living the Siddha way or சித்தர் நெறி வாழ்க்கை முறை, and hence lost touch of it, for instance, spelled out the Siddha way to take a bath some time back. We adopted that in life and also in bathing him and his form in the statue. Bhogar came to instruct us on the simple means to attain the Siddha state if not fully at least travel half the journey given the current circumstances in society and time that is not conducive to achieve the state. Expelling and purging the body of toxins; Taking lots of greens and fruits in addition to wholesome food in our diet; Learning the art of breathing; Bathing the right way, and finally, loving nature shall pave the way to at least cover some distance on this journey of transformation. He added that the Siddhas took care of their body well, never ignoring them. He indicated that we needed to put our feet down at times and resolve to bring the much-needed change in ourselves and those around us and never submit to the ways of the masses if we wanted to see any progress on this path. He added that life itself was a battle of odds and the Siddhas are known fighters, who fought to bring change in those in the society who opted to listen. 

The Siddhas never settled for us to remain and lead a normal life but endlessly work on us to raise us from the mundane and rigid routine of daily life. They slog to free us from the chain that shackled us that we had brought upon ourselves. They brought excitement to an otherwise boring life. For instance, Agathiyar brought us to bring changes in the nature and approach of our worship and rituals. After having put much learning, time, and effort into them, he brought us to relearn, experiment, and make the necessary changes. He dared us to make the move, moving away from the orthodox and traditional. He welcomed rebel thoughts and ways. He comes later to give us a pat on our backs seeing the change and our achievements. Bhogar attests to this telling us to rise up to the occasion too.

Lately, Agathiyar has brought us to stop all forms of rituals and move into the next stage of Yogam and Gnanam, moving on to an entirely new platform, pasture, and frontier, to a journey of going within and becoming aware of the Self as opposed to that of observing the world around us and learning from it as earlier.

If in the beginning, we stood before our Gods invoking their mantra, asking for favors, in traveling the path of the Siddhas and taking them as our gurus, the gurus and Siddhas begin to invoke the Gods to come down and grant our wishes. They bring our troubles and problems to the attention of the Gods. They bring us the solutions too. They pave the way with flower petals removing the thorns along the way. I remember Tavayogi mention in his travels roaming the whole of India, he would go hungry many a time. The divine couple Lord Siva and Ma would bring him food that was steaming hot and ask him to eat. I see his divine hand when friends and neighbors pass me sattvic food cooked with love and delivered to my doorstep in these days of isolation and Covid. How can I repay their kindness?

If we had picked up singing the Thevaram in classes in the past and sang them like a speeding train, Agathiyar and Lord Murugan came to ask us to pull the brakes and move slowly along the track, reading each sentence with an awareness of the message conveyed and bringing the saints and authors of these divine works to our mind, and imagining how they would have written down these experiences of theirs. We are told to look at these songs that we have heard or sang for ages with a new perspective that of not a listener but to fit into the shoes of its authors. This brings the joy and bliss endeavored by them within us too. Agathiyar told us that we had praised them enough through these songs and now engage in singing the songs of transformation that the saints went through. He highlighted two such works, that of Manikavasagar and Ramalinga Adigal. When I fetched Tavayogi and as we were traveling to a temple, he commented on listening to the audio of Ramalinga Adigal's divine work the "Thiruarutpa", that one who listens to these songs shall attain Gnanam or divine wisdom. Agathiyar and Lord Murugan tell us the same that Gnanam shall dawn on its listeners. 

"The Self" comes as a teacher these days, tapping into the vast resources in the Divine realm. Messages and new understanding come by but one needs to quickly take notes less it flows by never to return the same way again as in the waterways.