THE STORY OF A MURTHY REVEALED 3

I thought that I would conclude the "Story of a Murthy" in this post by going fast-forward to the year 2009 where Agathiyar planned to come to our shores. But there is so much to share between the years 2005 and 2009. So please bear with me.

The puzzle pieces were slowly falling into place, but we did not see it then. Looking back now, we understand how Agathiyar manipulated each moment in our lives to save our soul and elevate it to higher states. Although he guided us through the Nadi and later acknowledged many happenings, the inner substance and meaning of these external events only appeared clear to us after many years later. It seemed like there was an inner governess to all things that took place that we could not possibly comprehend. For those who wanted answers, he shut us up by telling us that that was a result of past karma. This to a certain extent brought solace to the wounded heart. But deep down, there was another mechanism in place that determined each moment of our lives. It is still a mystery though. 

After the audio of the Nadi reading, read on 15 August 2005 was erased mysteriously upon me taking my initiation immediately again as directed then by Agathiyar, I was rerouted to Tavayogi's Kallar Ashram where I came under his personal tutelage and supervision bypassing the need to go through the elementary schools and courses his affiliate Peedham came up with later. After returning from my second trip to India where I was blessed to have Tavayogi accompany me places, I put together the photos I took and produced a video that I showed to him when he came again in 2007 to officiate the First World Conference on Siddha Philosophy in Malaysia. (See https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-first-world-conference-on-siddha.html) He taught us Yoga Asanas and Pranayama techniques that were to become the core of our practice later. 

Agathiyar brought the Siddhas to say a few words through the Nadi readings prior to the Conference that was upcoming. 

Bhogar came first on 13.1.2007. போகர் 

சில திங்களில் கல்லாறு சித்தன் பக்குவங்கள் அவனாலும் உபதேச தீட்சை நல் உண்மை பல சேரவைப்போம். 

Bhogar said that in a few days' time Tavayogi whom he addressed as Kallar Siddhan shall share many things upon his arrival for the Conference.

சித்தனாம் அகத்தீசன் காட்சி தன்னை சுத்தமுடன் ஓட்பம் வழி பொதிகை தன்னில் உன்னோடு மூவர் மட்டும் தீர்கமாய் கண்டு உள்ளீர் உண்மை உண்மை.

Bhogar acknowledges that we, Tavayogi, my brother, and me had the darshan of Agathiyar in the form of light at Papanasam when I saw him open both his eyes in his granite statue. These eyes were real and alive. 

அகத்திய முனிவன் ஒவ்வொரு சித்தர்களும் வாக்கு சொல்ல வாக்கு உரைக்கச் சொன்னாரே அதனால் உனக்கு வாரம் ஓர் சித்தர் நாங்கள் வாக்கு சொல்வோம்

Bhogar finally says that each Siddha would address me in the Nadi as Agathiyar had directed them to do so.

20.1.2007 சுகபிரம்மர்

அறிவிப்பேன் சுகபிரம்மர் ஆசி தன்னை. வினவச் சொன்னார் கும்பமுனி ஞானம் பற்றி. 

Sugabrahma came next to address me. 

ஆசியும் கல்லாறு சித்தன் பார்வையும் அருள் தந்த சுப்ரமணியன் ஆசி தீச்சை மாசில்லா இக்கணமே துணையாய் இருக்கக் கூசாது குரு தன்னை மகிழ்வித்துத் தான் குறையில்லா பிழையில்லா கடமை செய்தாய். 

Sugabrahma mentions both my gurus and tells me that I had done my duty towards them.

மென்மையாய் குன்றக்குடி அடிகளார் ஆசி மனநிறைவான முறையே பெற்று... 

He asks that I see Kundrakudi Adigal on my next visit to India. I never went again to India until 2013. By then it was not relevant anymore as I was deeply attached to Supramania Swami, Tavayogi, and Agathiyar.

27.1.2007 பிருகு 

காணும் நாள் வேந்தர்ரின் எல்லை தன்னில் காத்து உள்ளார். சுந்தர ஆறுமுகத்தின் ஆசி பின்னே நலமான வேந்திரரும் அவருள் அமர்ந்து நாயகனே அருள் தீட்சை பெறுவாய் திண்ணம். 

Bhrigu says that I was in Saint Raghavendra's jurisdiction. Bhrigu came when I was in Ipoh over the weekend for my niece's wedding. As I was having a regular reading each Saturday, I thought that I shall miss the week's Nadi reading. But what do you know, Ramesh comes over to Ipoh to read the Nadi for his regular clients residing in this town some 174 kilometers away.  Bhrigu tells me that I shall receive the blessing of Saint Raghavendra through Sundara Arumugam. Arumugam was the bride's father and my brother-in-law. He became a staunch devotee of Raghavendra after watching the movie on him. He has since built the Jegathguru Sri Raghavendra Swamigal Brindavanam in Ipoh. True to Bhrigu's words, Saint Raghavendra came through my brother-in-law and blessed me at his home altar. He said that Agathiyar and he, Raghavendra were one. 

தவ வாழ்வுதான் உயர்வாகக் கல்லாறு  சித்தன் தடத்தில்  சில நாட்கள் உள்ளது அப்பா. 

He asks me to travel again and spent a few days at Kallar Ashram. I did that but much later in 2013. My family and I spent all the five days we were there in India at Tavayogi's ashram. 

பொதிகை உச்சி கும்பமுனி நீர் படுகை தன்னில் நீராடிப் பூசை செய்வாய். 

Bhrigu asks me to head for Pothigai peak and take a bath in its waters. I never stepped the hill till this day. 

பாக்கியங்கள் இவ்விரு தடத்தில் உண்டு.

He said many good shall result from my stay at Kallar and hike to Pothigai peak.

கல்லாறு சித்தன் ஆசி இருக்க மேன்மை காண்பாய். 

Bhrigu tells me that by the grace of Tavayogi I shall much progress.

விளையாடுவோம் சித்தர் எல்லாம் உன்னோடு தான். 

Then he surprises me by telling me that the Siddhas shall play their games with me. 

அடுத்து உரைக்க உள்ளார் காகபுஜண்டர் வாக்கு உனக்கு. 

Bhrigu then tells me that Kagabujandar was next in line to address me.

3.2.2007 காகபுஜண்டர் 

உந்தனுக்கு பொதிகையான் வாக்கு உரைக்கச் சொன்னார் அப்பா. 

Kagabunjandar tells me that he was directed by Agathiyar to address me.

ஒப்பில்லா பாக்கியங்கள் பூசையாலே ஓயாது தவ சிந்தையால் பெற்று உள்ளாய். மகத்துவத்தை உணர மாடாய் இப்போ. இப்பவும் உலகு உன்னக்கு புரியாது தான். 

He tells me that I had reaped the benefits of the puja and tapas I did and that I shall not realize its significance as yet and that I shall not understand the world, not at that moment at least. 

ஏற்காடு வருவாய் நீதான். 

Kagabujandar invited me to Yercaud. But I never went.

10.2.2007

பொறுப்பான குருவை நீ தேர்ந்து எடுத்தாய். புவனத்தில் சமாதி நிலை கண்டது உண்மை. உண்மையாய் சமாதி நிலை காணும் காலம் உயர்வான காலம் இதே உணர்ந்துகொள்வாய். பலமடங்கு பாக்கியம் காணே பெருமையுள்ள தடத்திலே காலமானார். ஆனதொரு அவை தடத்தில் சக்தி மிகுமே. அருள் பெறுவார் மாந்தர் எல்லாம். 

While I was in the midst of hearing out the other Siddhas address me each week, Agathiyar breaks the flow to acknowledge that Supramania Swami had indeed gone into samadhi and that he was laid to rests in an auspicious place on the path of Girivalam in Tiruvannamalai a couple of days earlier on 2.7.2007.

நன்றான பயணம் வரும் காலம் தன்னில் நலமான மலர்ச் சரங்கள் சமாதியில் சாற்றி நீ வழிபாடும் அன்னதானம் சரி சிறப்பாய் தியானம் செய்ய வேண்டும். பற்று கொண்டார் சுப்ரமணியன் உன்னிடம் தான். பாலகன் நீ கடமை செய்ய நன்றாம். 

He tells me to place a flower garland and pay my respects to him and carry out an annadham or feed the hungry. I had Jnana Jothiamma and Deva carry it on my behalf the morning of my arrival in India in 2013.

நன்றான தீட்சையும் உபதேசமும் இனி நலமான கல்லாறு சித்தன் வழி உண்டு. 

Now Agathiyar shifts the responsibility of caring for my soul and nurturing it further fully on Tavayogi.

வழிபாடும் தியானமும் செய்வாய் நன்றாய். வையகத்தில் பலன் இருக்கு பூசைக்குத் தான். தாழ்வில்லா கூட்டுப் பூசை இல்லம் தன்னில் ஓர் நாளும் செய்தாய் மகிழ்ந்தேன். நீயும் என்னை மகிழவைத்தாய். நலமுடன் ஞானத்தைப் பூர்த்தி கண்டு நானிலத்தில் கரை ஏறப்பா. 

Agathiyar says that he is much pleased with the group puja that we organized in our home. That is the vessel to bring salvation to us he added.

17.2.2007

நானிலத்தில் நூல் எழுத யோகம் உண்டு. ஒவொரு கடிகையிலும் அற்புதம் உண்டு. அதிசயத்தைக் கண்டு கண்டு வியக்க வைப்பேன். 

Agathiyar tells me to write and he shall give me the subject and substance.

புள்ளிகளுக்கு அன்னம் இட்டு அடுத்து கேளு. 

He asked me to feed the birds out of the blue. What do you know I did not need to go searching for them. As I arrived home after the reading these birds were waiting for me. There was this flock of birds that we had not seen prior to that day. I came to find out later that they were the scaly-breasted-munia. And what do you know, they had the appropriate dots on their breast just as Agathiyar had implied. I fed them not once as Agathiyar instructed and not weekly as Kagapujandar was to instruct next but some 13 years till last year. They had become part of the family too. When dawn breaks they gather at my home sitting on the branches of the trees in my garden and only leave after dark. When we were caught off guard in my daughter's place during the sudden lockdown last year, these birds left our home too and never did return. I guess I had done my share and they were now the responsibility of another soul to feed. At about the same time Agathiyar stopped us from carrying out our charitable programs telling us that we had done enough and others shall carry on from where we left off. True the homes that we serviced have since then been taken care of by another NGO.

Photo: https://adearisandi.files.wordpress.com/

24.2.2007 காகபுஜண்டர் 

வாரத்தில் ஒருநாள் மட்டும் புள்ளிகளுக்கு உணவு அளிக்க வாக்கு.

Kagabujandar came to remind me to continue feeding the birds once a week.

4.3.2007

சுமை எல்லாம் படிப் படியாய் பூசையால் குறைத்து  சுகம் காண்பாய். ஊழ் எல்லாம் தவத்தால் போக்கி அப்பனே எங்களுக்குப் பூசை நீயும் அற்புதமாய் செய்கின்றாயே. அணு அணுவாய் களித்தேன். 

Agathiyar was pleased to see our worship continue. 

தியானமும் மரப்பலகை தன் மேல் நன்றாய் துகில் விரித்து அரை நாழி நாளும் விழி மூடிச் சுழிமுனையை கண்டு தினம் தினம் என் நாமம் சொல்லி அமரு. 

He let me on a tip as to sit and meditate. He asked to sit on a piece of plank and spread a cloth over it. With my eyes closed, he asks to bring my focus on the Suzhumunai and chant his name for the short duration of 12 minutes or 1/2 a Naligai. Ramesh told me the best piece of wood to sit on would be that of the jackfruit tree. I recently was gifted one by Mr. and Mrs. Krishna. 

10.3.2007 பிருகு 

கதிர் நாளில் மட்டும் மாறத் தர்ப்பை விரித்து அமர்ந்து தவ பூசை செய்வாய். தான் உனக்குள் உட்டினமும் அதிகம் ஆகும். தான் அதனால் சத்விக உணவே சிறக்கும். தனக்கு தான் மக மந்திரம் அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதியைத் தவறாது ஓதி நல் வணங்கி வர வினையெல்லாம் பூசையாலே முறையே போகும்.

Bhrigu came again with several tips. He asked that I sit on Kusa grass or tarpai and do my tapas. As the heat within shall increase manifold, he asked that I consume only Satvic food. He asked to chant the maha-mantra Arutperunjhothi. Karma shall be burnt by the fire of tapas he said.

23.4 2007 காகபுஜண்டர் 

என் பிள்ளை உன் தேசம் வ்ருவான் கும்பன் விழாவில் சித்தர்களின்  விழாவில் கண்டுகொள்.

Kagabujandar told me his disciple Kollimalai Dharmalinga Swami who later resided in Tiruvannamalai will arrive in Malaysia for the Siddhar Vizha and asked that I meet him. I never went. 

8.5.2007 திருமூலர் 

மைதானே சித்தர்களின் ஆலோசனையோடு மகத்துவமாய் பூசைகளும் செய்வாய் நன்றாய். கள்ளமில்லா மனம்கொண்டு பூசை தன்னை கருத்தாகச் செய்த்திடுவாய் மகிழ்ச்சிதானே. 

Tirumular came to tell me that they were pleased with the puja and rituals we did. 

எங்கள் தூதுவர்கள் வழியில் பல உண்மை நன்றாகச் சேர வைப்போம். 

He said his messengers will bring us the truth. 

தில்லை தன்னில் எந்தன் ஆசி நிறைவாகக் கிட்டும். 

He invited me to Thillai or Chidambaram. I never went there again.

12.6.2007

பக்குவங்கள் முறையே ஆசான் வழியே பெற்று விட்டாய். மாசில்லா சித்தர்களைக் குடியில் அழைத்து வாழவைப்பாய். குடும்பத்தில் நாங்கள் எல்லாம் குடி இருக்க ஆசிரம வாழ்வு வேண்டாம் உனக்கு. பொறுப்புகளும் சில செய்ய, யோகம் செய்யப் பகுதி நேரம் செலவழிக்க, இல்லத்திலிருந்து யோகம் என்பேன். நாங்களும் இருக்கும் குடியும் தன்னில் நாள் நாளும் சித்தர்களின் வாசம் மிகுமே. யோகிகளை இல்லத்திற்கு வரவழைப்போம் நாங்கள். கருத்தாகத் தவத்தை நீ பார்ப்பாய். 

Agathiyar tells me that I have gained much from my acquaintance with Supramania Swami and Tavayogi. Our prayers have brought them into our homes. He tells me that I do not need to live at an ashram but instead balance out my time with the family and my responsibilities towards them and carry out my tapas the rest of the time. I need not seek them out but they shall bring them to my home instead. What did I do to deserve their kindness and continuous patronage? 

24.7.2007

பொறுப்புள்ள குருமார்கள் ஆசி பூதலத்தில் உனக்கு இருப்பதனால் யாவும் வெற்றி. சூட்சுமங்கள் பல விளம்ப நல் ரகசியமும் குரு நூல் வழியே கண்டு கொண்டாய். 

Agathiyar tells me that I shall receive a text from my guru. Tavayogi had published his first book "Andamum Pindamum" and distributed it to us when he came for the Conference. 

சுப்ரமணியன் குரு ஆசியாலே அற்புதம் நிகழும் குடியில். அனுதினமும் குரு நாமம் செப்பி வா. 

Agathiyar told me a miracle shall take place in my home with the blessings of my guru Supramania Swami. True enough he came in the subtle form. To make us aware of his presence there was the aroma of fresh tobacco leaves in the air contrary to the aroma of the sacred ash or vibhuti and sandhanam or other essences as we were used to inhaling. Immediately my thoughts go to him as he smokes the cigar or cigarettes. Almost immediately to confirm I was right in my guess, my handphone rings for a moment only. I see his number appear. It was a miscall. But as the mind is used to doubting such happenings I wanted to verify if the miracle was possible, even after having seen all the said miracles in these pages of this blog. My nephew on the other end told me it's most likely him. Just as I ended the call his number appears again on my phone, again as a miscall. I call up the number. A man answers. I asked him if he had called me in Malaysia. He had not. On further enquiring him he told me he was from Coimbatore. I ended the call. I call Swami's son Ramajayam in Tiruvannamalai. He tells me that his father's number had been surrendered and no one was using it. It needed Agathiyar to come and drive the nail in later. 

23.9.2007

மாசிலா மகத்துவமாய் பூசை தன்னை மகன் நீயும் செய்வதனால் மனம் குளிர்ந்தோம் நாங்கள். நாங்கள் எல்லாம் குடி கொண்டோம் உந்தன் இல்லில். தான் உனக்கு எங்கள் நாமம் தானே தரணியிலே மகா மந்திரம் என உரைப்போம். மகா மந்திரம் சித்தர் நாமம் ஓதுவாயே. 

Agathiyar came to tell us that he was pleased with the puja and that they were residing with us in our home. He asked to continue reciting their names. 

வினை அறிந்து வாழ்வை வகுத்து வாழ்வாய். 

Then he tells me a beautiful thing. He asked to understand the workings of karma and live accordingly. 

நன்றான அற்புதம் அதிசயம் இடையில் நாயகன் நீ கண்டு உணர்தாய். யாவும் உண்மை. 

Then he throws in the ball. He tells me that the miracle had indeed taken place. Supramania Swami was indeed with us. When I was with him he used to push me to pray and do tapas. He asked me to light up the oil lamp surprising me by telling me that he shall observe me through it. He surprised me further by telling me that if I pursue continuously doing the tapas, he shall see its benefit and rise in his stature too. No guru before this has spoken about this deal. We have all this while look towards the guru to grant us everything to make us a Gnani like him. But soon I realized it was not to be so. It was a two-way relationship. Both the guru and disciple tend to gain from this pact. Dhanvantri too told us that our tapas had led the way for Tavayogi to reach the state of Jothi or light. Agathiyar told us that Gnanam was not granted by them but that we had to work towards it. Do not be taken away by promises even if it comes from spiritual people. The core of the matter is we have to work on it as Supramania Swami said that we need to polish it till it shines and Tavayogi said that we shall work on it even through another birth if we cannot achieve it now. 

13.10.2007

பெருமானார் ஓதச் சொன்னார் வள்ளல் தானே. குவலயத்தில் நாங்கள் எல்லாம் ஒளியாய் உள்ளோம். உள்ளதொரு உண்மை அறிந்து பூசை உலகத்தில் செய்வதனால் தெய்வம் ஆவாய். கள்ளமில்லா உடம்பு ஆத்ம ஜோதி தீபம். காலை நீ வைத்து வணங்க மாற்றம் உண்டு. எக்கணமும் மகா மந்திரம் ஓதிவர சிறப்பு. 

Agathiyar surprised me by telling me that he was passing Vallal or Ramalinga Adigal's message. Vallal tells me that they are all in the form of light. By doing puja we shall become divine. A pure body holds the effulgence. To represent and symbolize that I was asked to light an oil lamp using a vessel made of earth. Henceforth I switched the existing brass Kamatchi oil lamp to an earthen one. Vallal asked to recite his maha-mantra. Quite recently when the Siddhas come they always asked to kindle the flame to burn brightly. They recommend we light the Aganda Deepam and sit around it in meditation. It reminds us of the days of lighting the campfire and sitting around it.

மண் உலகில் பிறவிக்கு அர்த்தம் உண்டு. 

Vallal tells us that there is a purpose in life. His purpose was to sheppard us from the grips of death and the never-ending cycle of rebirth. But sadly people around him refused to listen except for a handful. They were more intent on worshipping him rather than to follow his footsteps and achieve his final state. The past year and a half have seen us stop carrying out rituals and charity too. Agathiyar asked us to go within, practicing asanas, pranayama, and meditation. He tells us that we need to now work not on these external regimes but to start an internal regime that of first cleansing the body that is of the nature of Asudha Degam bringing it to the state of the pure or Sudha Degam. Then working on the breath we transform this body to that of a Pranava Degam. Eventually, we attain the light body or Oli Degam as did Vallal and the rest of the Siddhas. 

அதைக் கண்டிடவே ஆராய்ச்சிகள் அனுமாரா செய்திடுவாய். சத்குருவாய் நாங்கள் எல்லாம் இருப்பதாலே வெற்றி என்னாளும் உண்டு. 

Vallal asked to move towards researching these areas. He and the other Sadgurus shall be with us. 

23.11.2007

ஆனந்தக் கண்ணீரும் பெருக்கெடுத்து ஓட அன்பின் வழி ஞானம் அதைப் புகுத்தி உள்ளோம்.

Agathiyar explains the reason for the sudden outburst of tears and cry in their presence.  

உள்ளதொரு மனைவிக்கும் மக்களுக்கும் உயர் ஞானம் இக்கணத்தில் இருக்குதப்பா. 

My family is never left out on this wonderful journey with the Siddhas telling me that they shall achieve the same too. If Agathiyar in my first Nadi reading told me to come to his fold, the worship of the Siddhas, Tavayogi the first day I met him, asked me to bring my family into the fold too. When initially I used to pray alone my wife gets dreams daily where Ramana, Ramalinga Adigal, and Agathiyar appear with messages that we could not comprehend. When my wife referred these dreams to Tavayogi he told me that they wanted her to come into the path too. It was a gentle reminder from them. So I asked it return like a spoilt brat how was it fair that I do the work and the Gods appear in her dream? Why do they not appear in my dream? Tavayogi replied that there was no need for that as I had firmly held to the path. But there was a period in my life too where I was daily bombarded with dreams of holy men that never made much sense then. My wife is special as Tavayogi did vouch for her. Even before Tavayogi began to read the Jeeva Nadi she was shown him reading it. She saw golden letters appear in the leaves of the Nadi as Tavayogi perused through them. When I had to pass my fingerprint and like many others sat before the Nadi reader to find the leaf that could closely match my life spending hours in the unique session of question and answer, she was given her first reading even without being called for by Agathiyar. I surprised her with her reading upon arriving home that day as Agathiyar surprised both Nadi Nool Aasan T.Ramesh and me by giving a full reading for her in her absence. When I had to register and wait for the day, sit it out in the shed some 1 1/2 hours, wait in the sun for forty minutes before I stepped into the comfort of the airconditioning on that hot afternoon to receive my vaccination for Covid-19 virus, she was called up and registered immediately and brought to an airconditioned complex were she received hers all within half an hour. I always tell her that she was special in the eyes of the Siddhas. 

கள்ளமில்லா நாள் நாளும் சித்தர் பூசை குருமார்கள் நாமம் அதைச் சொல்லிச் சொல்லி வீண்ணடிக்கா நேரத்தைத் தியானம் செய்ததால் விளம்பியதை யாவுமே கட்டி பெறுவாய். 

Again they tell us the extreme benefits that puja or worship can bring about. 

தான் உனக்குக் கோல் நிலைகள் மாற்றம் தன்னால்  தனக்குப் பல போராட்டம் சோதனைகள் வரும். வினவ இவை விலகிடத்தான் ஆகாய கோட்டம், வராகியின் கோட்டமொடு செந்தூர் சென்று தவறாது மீனாட்சி ஆலயத்தில் அர்ச்சனையும் நாமம் சொல்லிச் சடுதியாய் பூசை செய்யச் சித்தி. ஆரோக்கியம் இவையாளே பல்வார் ஏற்றம். 

After 2002, when Agathiyar listed a long list of remedies or paraikaram to be carried out, he tells me to visit and pay my respects to Lord Shiva at Chidambaram temple, Goddess Varagi at her temple, Lord Murugan in Tiruchendur, and Goddess Meenakshi in Madurai out of the blues. I guess I had picked up further karma along the way. I had to appease and settle the score. But I took the option to hand over the task to T.Ramesh and his agents in India to fulfill this agenda. I guess Agathiyar accepted my prayers that were delivered by these proxies for he did not raise the subject again. 

27.12.2007

சித்தர் நாங்கள் கல்லாறு தன்னில் அமர்ந்து அருள் வாக்கு சொல்வோம் இப்போ. மறவாது சிந்தையெல்லாம் கல்லாறு தன்னில் மகன் நீயும் கொண்டுள்ளாய். நீ இங்கே இருந்த போதும் ஆண் உன் மனம் முழுதும் கல்லாறில் இருக்க அகத்தியன் என் வானத்திலும் பூசை நடக்கும். அப்பனே அப்பனுக்குப் புசிப்பாய் அங்கே. தன்னக்கே சித்தர் நாங்கள் புசிப்போம் இங்கே. 27 1/2  நாழிகை தன்னில் நீ புசிக்க யோகம் அப்பா. தான் அதுவே நான் செனித்த நேரம் தானே. விண் உலகம் திறக்கும் போல் உந்தன் பூசை. ஆண் நீயும் செய்கின்ற இன்று பூசை தன்னில் ஆண்டவனும் செவி சாய்த்துக் கேட்பான். இல்லமத்தில் மந்திரம் ஓதி வழுத்தத்தான் சக்தி பல மிகுந்துள்ளது இல்லில். தின்னமாய் உன் தனத்தால் தர்மம் உண்டு அங்கே.

This reading came a day before the annual Jayanthi celebrations and Guru Puja that both Tavayogi and I carried out at Kallar and AVM respectively. Agathiyar told me that this reading was coming directly from Kallar where the Siddhas had gathered for the Vizha. He says he was pretty much aware that my heart and soul were in Kallar. Nevertheless, he wants us to carry out the worship at AVM. He adds that as we worship them they, in turn, shall worship us. This was very interesting. I guess they are always praying for our well-being. Agathiyar revealed his exact time of emergence to be 27 1/2 Naligai after the birth of the star Ahilyam. That would equate to 10 hours 58 minutes after the birth of the star. He asked us to carry out his puja then. We did as told and for the first time, we started early as opposed to carrying it out simultaneously with Kallar ashram where the Yagam is lit at two in the afternoon. He made the switch that year. He made several other switches along the way setting us off on a unique course, slowly parting away from the norm. Later he brought us to celebrate his Guru puja to coincide with the yearly Thaipusam festival. As we were directly guided by them there was no reason to fear or answer to anyone. Finally, Agathiyar threw in the good news that Lord Shiva was listening on, on our prayers. He added that the contributions we forwarded for the Vizha were put to good us. 

REMINISCENCE WITH MAHIN

Another seeker and devotee of Agathiyar is Mahindren. He is the one who dresses up the Murthy or statue of Agathiyar at AVM. I used to joke to his wife that he is a clone of me. If Agathiyar saw his wish fulfilled for AVM by bringing in many youngsters in their thirties including Bala Chandran, Malar, Sahalini, Dyalen, Sugu, Hari, Jegan, Yuvarani, Suren and Mahin and many others, my wish is that Mahin spearheads AVM in the future bringing in not the seasoned devotee but the young and tender ones who will be pliable and can be molded.

A DEVOUT DEVOTEE

After Surendharan and I spoke over the phone a couple of days earlier, he wrote the following piece summarizing our talk. Suren was one of the earliest seeker and devotee of Agathiyar at AVM. He came a year after Agathiyar came as a Murthy or idol or statue to AVM in 2010. He has since kept coming back and keeps in touch. 

About the blog, I am not sure if it is too late to write, because you have posted in the blog. Anyway just would like to share.

The blog is unique in a way that it suits those who start seeking sidha or who want to know about sidhas and their teaching. For me, the best write up was about your reading, encounter with your gurus and trip to india which was your first post if I am not mistaken. We can experience your joy in that. The spiritual journey seem to be something peaceful and nice and not something that is other way around. It is something that is nice to look forward to. And you also showed that sidha worship is for the whole family and not something for someone only which needs isolation. The sidha way of life is included in your daily routine which makes life better and not something that is done once in a year.

Your way of describing sidhas make us to like and love sidhas more and become closer to them more rather then just looking at them just as guru. How much trust we put them, how much lively that we look at them and not just just a picture is quite important. The question of which way of prayers is right is not neccesary. Whether a picture, statue can talk has been answered in this blog as well. After all, the most important thing is how true, sincere we are and how much we want to involve sidhas in our life is what matters. Whether a simple chant of mantras, recital of songs, homam, meditation, charity, all these are a way of connecting to the the supreme power and which suits us depends on which makes us happy and passionate doing it.

Coming back to the blog, it is not too technical, it is not scary and it does not force readers. It just show the way of life and experience of a sidha follower. All the experience become a guide to move further and that is what shared in the blog. Obviously a part of the blog tells us about the miracles and in someway it also needed just to make life interesting and also to keep on our faith. The way Agathiyar works in everyone life teach us a lot and make us wonder how he can manage all these so calmly. He has been and is a role model in many ways.

10 years back, we can't get much info on sidhas from internet and usually its about the their history. Looking at your blog, we or those who are beginners can start to understand sidhas. Not much technical jurgons used and its more about way of life and relation between disciple and guru. Its not only about choosing who to follow or worship but also about what type of disciple are we to our guru. It gives a thought of analyzing ourself and how devoted are we to our gurus after reading the experinces of other devotees in the blog. It also bring some humbleness to us.

Sometimes we forgot to see the miracles of blessing given to us by sidhas because we may think it is something normal. We may not know that some of the good things that happens to us even in a smaller scale could be due to our gurus blessing. Even if it is normal day, it could be a blessing from our guru that avoid us from any issue which they may not tell us.

A wonderfully written piece. Thank you, Suren. Suren has journeyed far and seen much be it the world around us and the many faces of followers and devotees in the Siddha path. He frequents all these establishments associated with the Siddha and has a wide experience. He used to bring in interviews with seekers and masters on the path and footages that have graced this blog and my YouTube channel. Tavayogi and Mataji would oblige him. As he used to have many questions we pushed him to the fore to ask questions and seek the answers from the Siddhas in his Nadi readings. The Siddhas too would oblige him. I told him he could start writing his own blog and put into it his observations and thoughts.  

THE STORY OF A MURTHY REVEALED 2

As foretold if I chose to carry out his dictates he shall come again to speak further, Agathiyar came some three years later in a Nadi reading that happened after Tavayogi pointed out to me a Nadi reader in town. Tavayogi had just arrived in Malaysia when I made an appointment to see him. Telling him that I had seen the Nadi and Agathiyar wanted me to come to the worship of the Siddhas, Tavayogi was delighted and told me that I had come to the right place. When I told him that it was about time I read the Nadi too, but I did not know how and where he pointed me to Nadi Nool Aasan T.Ramesh. And so a wonderful journey began with both the guru and the Nadi reader after Agathiyar came into my life. I shall continue with what Agathiyar had to say in the three years that he watched over me if I was a right candidate to be tutored further on the ways of the Siddhas.

18.8.2005

கும்பன் மொழிந்திடுவேன் ஆசியின் பலனை. பெருமையுடன் இவ்வுலகில் நீயும் வாழ்ந்தால் பெருமையுடன் நான் வாழ முடியும் அப்பா. எல்லையில்லா அதிசயங்கள் நாளும் காண்பாய். என் மார்க்கம் தன்னிலே உந்தன் வாழ்வு. நீயும் அழியாத மார்க்கம் தன்னில் இருப்பதனால் யாவும் வெற்றி.

He told me just as Tavayogi said that I had come to the right path. He asked that we live with pride and honor so that he can hold his head high too. He told me that he shall show many amazing things.  

உனக்கு இந்தியத் தேசப் பயணம் கிட்டும். திருவண்ணாமலையிலும் அற்புத சக்தி காத்திருக்கு. 

He said that there was a journey to India in waiting. I shall come face to face with "a great source of energy" at Tiruvannamalai. It turned out that I was destined to meet my first guru Supramania Swami at Tiruvannamalai. 

கல்லாறு ஆசிரமம் தன்னில் நீயும் 2,3, நாட்கள் தங்கி தியானங்கள் பூசையும் இராசனோடு உண்மைகளும் அறிந்திட வேண்டும். பரம்பொருள் வாசம் செய்யும் தடமும் அதுவே. தடம் அதிலே நாங்கள் வாசம் செய்வதாலே உயர்வு நிலை உண்டு. தரணியிலே தவயோகி தங்கராசன் உண்மையான குரு உனக்கு என்போம். தான் அவனால் மாற்ற நிலை பல்வார் உண்டு. குரு தீட்சை அருளும் இன்று இரவே பழம் இனிப்பு ஈந்து ஆசி பெற்று விட்டால் மாற்றம் பல்வார். நீ அறிய அதிசயங்கள் பல்வார் நடக்கும்.

Then I was to spend some 2,3 days at Tavayogi's Kallar Ashram too to learn from him on meditation and puja. Agathiyar went on to describe the Kallar ashram and its surrounding hills as where the Siddhas and Lord Shiva are present. He tells me that Tavayogi was my guru and to get Theecha or initiation from him immediately. This came as a surprise to both Tavayogi and me as he had offered to initiate me and my wife and several others the day I met him. Agathiyar wiped clean this recording on audio cassette after I took up his directive and went the same night to meet Tavayogi and mention that Agathiyar wanted me to get initiated by him again. So too did Agathiyar tell me many years later the reason I did not get Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar of Ongarakudil's blessing was that I had gone on my own accord to meet him on my maiden journey to India in 2003. He asked me to go then and I shall get his blessings. But I did not as I held on to my faith that I had Supramania Swami, Tavayogi, and Agathiyar himself. I understand now that even in the spiritual circle we need to wait for their directives to move. Our likes and desires shall not turn favorable or to our advantage. 

ஆண்டித்தடம் சென்று இழையோனின் ஆசியும் பெற்ற பின்னே போகர் சமாதி தன்னில் பூசையும் தியானமும் நாழிகை 1/2 செய்ய நன்று.

Agathiyar asked me to go to the Palani temple and pay my respects to Lord Murugan and Bhogar.

தான் பின்னே திருமறைக்காடு என் கோட்டத்தில் வழிபாடும் எந்தன் முன்னே நீ அமர்ந்து பூசை செய்யும் வேலை இட்டமுடன் உன்னை விழித்து நானும் பார்ப்பேன்.

I was then to go to his temple at Agasthiyampalli where he promised that he shall see me. Indeed he opened his left eye in the granite statue of his that was installed and worshipped by King Kuberan at the start of the present Kali Yuga. Dr. VN Jayapalan shares this story or Stala Puranam in an audio recording.

உனக்குக் குற்றால பொதிகை கிரியில் அருள் கருணை காத்திருக்கு.

Agathiyar also invited me to his Pothigai hill. But I never made this trip up the hill. There is no reason to go now either. 

அறிந்திடுவாய் பல மாந்தர் மகான்கள் நட்பும். மிக்கதொரு ஞானிகள் வழிநடுத்தி மேன்மை பெறத் துணை நிற்பார். திண்ணமாய் வழிபாடும் வாசி பூசை செய்து வரச் சிறப்பு.

He added that upagurus will come to my aid as I travel this path. Indeed besides Agathiyar and the Siddhas, Ramalinga Adigal, Supramania Swami, and Tavayogi, many upagurus have extended their hand in lifting me up on this path. They have all visited my home too.

19.8.2005

அற்புதங்கள் அதிசையங்கள் நாளும் காண்பாய். பால் உணவு ஆண்டித்தடம் தன்னில் என் வாக்கால் குமரன் அளித்தார். குரு அருள் தீட்சை தன்னால் மேலான பாக்கியங்கள் யாவும் காண்பாய்.

Going back for a rereading Agathiyar tells me that my path was redirected to Kallar and not the local affiliate as Tavayogi suggested I visit and learn in his absence when he returns to India. He explains what took place at Palani in 2003. 

20.12.2005

அகம் மகிழ்ந்தேன் உன்னையும் இந்திய நாட்டில் கண்டு. கல்லாறு சித்தனோடு ஆசியும் தான் முழுமையாய் உனக்கு உண்டு. 

Leaving for India right behind his heels the following month, Agathiyar tells me he was overjoyed to see me traveling to his abodes and caves with Tavayogi. 

பாபநாசம் தன்னில் என் தடத்தில் காட்சியும் ஒளி வடிவமாக உனக்காக உவந்து அளித்தேன்.

He explains that he came as light and granted his darshan at his temple in Papanasam. Indeed if he opened his left eye in his granite statue at Agasthiyampalli earlier, he opened both his eyes at Papanasam. But it was so real and human.

இந்தியப் பயணத்தின் மூலமாக நீ என்னைப் பற்றி உணர வேண்டும் என்றே சடுதியாய் பயணத்தை உனக்கு அளித்தேன். அங்குப் பல அற்புதங்கள் அளித்தேன் உன்னக்கு. அகத்தியம்பள்ளி தன்னில் புன்முறுவல் சிரிப்போடு உன்னைக் கண்டு அழகா வரவேற்றேன். 

He adds that there was an urgency in getting me over to come to India. There he had shown me many miracles. For instance, he had ushered us into the temple on arrival. Indeed as we alighted from the ambassador an old man who was engaged in talk with someone at the temple entrance got up and invited us straight to Agathiyar's temple. As Tavayogi set to begin his meditation as he did in all the places we went, the old man stopped him and asked him to go round the temple grounds and pay respect to the main deity that was Lord Shiva and only then come over back to Agathiyar's temple. We did as told. He was waiting for us at Shiva's inner chamber. He then let us into the open and placed his thumb on the ground and told us this was the spot where Agathiyar had placed his thumb to bring stability to the world in ancient times as told in the Puranas. He then left us to spend time with Agathiyar in his chamber.

அற்புதங்கள் அதிசயங்கள் காட்சி பல்வார் அகிலத்தில் உனக்காகப் பலதும் படைப்பேன். மலேயா தேசத்திலும் நாளும் அதிசயங்கள் உண்டு. அற்புதங்கள் நீ மகிழப் பல இடத்தில் அளித்தேன். தரணியிலே பலதடத்தில் பல அற்புதம் தருவேன்.

Agathiyar said that he shall manifest many more miracles in Malaysia too. 

நன்றான சுப்ரமணியன் அருளும் ஆசி மென்மையாய் அக்னி தடத்தில் பெற்றாய் மகிழ்ச்சி. அவன் தானே உன் அறிவை திறந்து வைத்தான். தான் அதற்குச் சுப்ரமணியன் காரணம் என்போம். அவனுக்கே நன்றிசொல் வாரம் ஒரு நாள். 

He tells me that I had received Supramania Swami's blessings at Tiruvannamalai. As Supramania Swami was the one who opened my "eyes" Agathiyar asked me to say thanks to him by remembering him. 

9.9.2006

மைந்தனே என் வாக்கு மாறா மகத்துவம் பொருந்திய இராசனோடு ஆலயபூசை யாவும் சுத்தமுடன் செய்தித்தாய் ஏற்றுக் கொண்டேன். இராசனோடு கோட்டம் பல பயணம் நலமோடு தரிசிக்கும் வேலை ஒளிவடிவில் காட்சி தரிசனம் தந்ததுவும் நான் தான் அப்பா. குருவாம் தங்கராசனை அறிமுகம் செய்தோம். குருவாய் ஏற்று தீட்சை பெறச் சொன்னோம். குருவாக ஏற்கச் சொன்னோம் காரணம் கேளு. உனக்குக் கல்லாறு சித்தன் மூலம் உண்மையான விளக்கத்தை அறிய வைப்பேன்.  பக்குவங்கள் பெறுவதற்கே தவயோகி தன்னை அறிமுகம் செய்து வைத்தேன்.

Next Agathiyar speaks about Tavayogi telling me he was extremely pleased seeing us take up the journey to his spiritual spots. He tells me the reason he brought me to Tavayogi was to learn from him the truth. 

அழியாத என் மார்க்கம் பற்றி இருக்க அதிசயமே கண்டிடுவாய் நாளும் நாளும். நாள் நாளும் உன் பூசை வணக்கம் கண்டு ஞானி சித்தர் மகன்களும் பூரித்துப்போவார். நாள் நாளும் சித்தர்களை வணங்கித் தானே நலமோடு பூசைகளும் செய்வாய் மகிழ்ந்தோம். முறையாக நீ செய்யும் பூசையும் தான் நாங்கள் ஏற்றுக் கொண்டோம். முழுமதி நாள்தோறும் மாறா இல்லத்தில் சித்தர் பூசை, சித்தர்களை அழைத்துச் சிறப்புடன் பூசை செய்திடுவாய் மகிழ்ச்சி அப்பா. சுத்தமான உன் பூசை சித்தர்கள் கண்டு இல்லத்தில் குடிகொண்டோம் தானே. பூசையில் கர்மத்தைப் போக்கி அன்றாடம் தியானப் பயிற்சி ஆக்கையின் பொருட்டுமே செய்த்திடுவாய் மைந்த.

He ends the reading by summing up that he was happy with the puja conducted at home. In the next post, we will take a leap to the year 2009 where he plans to come to my home as a bronze statue. He opens both his eyes in this bronze statue of his in 2013 as promised. 

THE STORY OF A MURTHY REVEALED 1

If many enroll for a postal course back then or online these days, I too went through a course receiving notes through the Nadi. Agathiyar and the other Siddhas would come through the Nadi to prepare me for the future and later to endorse and certify whatever had taken place. It was amazing to be called over for an Aasi Nadi reading each time as they updated the syllabus and gave us assignments and passed on the markings. I had a calling to enroll in their school in 2002 when I went excited to have my very first Nadi reading. Not knowing what to expect, though both Dr. Krishnan and my colleague Muralidharan gave me a brief idea of the Siddha's tool of communication, I sat with awe and amazement as the process began. Nadi Nool Aasan Sentilkumar and I went through three stacks of Nadi leaves trying to ascertain which Nadi came closest to describing me. As I could not say yes to any of those as the brief and passing reading of the description of the individual mentioned in those leaves did not match my story, we moved on to another leaf and so on and so forth. After covering the three stacks, Sentilkumar told me that we could not go on further. He asked that I come another day. After two weeks I came before him and going through the same process I picked out the Nadi leaf that carried a description of me. Sentilkumar told me to come in another day for the full reading. That is how Agathiyar bought time. The reading had to be done on a particular day and time for what was said to materialize fully. Thus, on the day of the full reading, it was truly amazing, as in a way it was a rediscovery of myself as seen from the eyes and perspective of Agathiyar who kept count and account of my previous life, present, and my future. It has been 19 years now since that first reading. I am still following his lessons, tutorials, and practices given. These days he comes through others and converses with us, dropping the need for the Nadi. It was a turning point in our lives. We had outgrown our dependency and reliance on Nadi for messages. When a clinical psychologist wanted to assess my mental health after reading the miracles carried in this blog, by implying if I was hallucinating, I refused to become his test subject but instead invited him to take up the journey just as I had. To those who are equally amazed reading this blog and the amazing stories that centered on the Siddhas, I invite you to start the journey too. 

What does it take to reach out to the Siddhas? Believe and faith that is the base, for a start, followed by dedication and discipline on our part, that keeps the broth boiling, the guidance of the guru that comes as a ladle to churn the magic potion and a sprinkle of grace and compassion of the Siddhas, are the essential ingredients for the broth. The final ingredient, surrender, spices up the broth. There we have it. Let us begin cooking. Let me walk you through this amazing journey where the Siddhas came through the Nadi setting the pace and agenda, initially holding me captive to the numerous performances of miracles.

பொது காண்டம்

அறிவிக்க மகன் ஒருவன் பொது காண்டத்தைக் கேட்கவே முதலில் நூலுக்குத் தானம்.

Bringing me the revelation, Agathiyar asked me to pay homage to the medium or tool, the Nadi and its authors. The Nadi of individuals is said to have been written thousands of years back by the Siddhas. It is an account of the soul's journey. The Siddhas had documented every aspect of man's endeavors and findings. Just reading through the contents page of Agathiyar's 12000 in print from Thamarai Noolagam gives us an idea of the extent of subjects covered by the Siddhas. Karuvooran reads out these lists in his video.

மலைமேல் ஈசனுக்கு மேலான வணக்கங்கள். அந்தணர் தானம். வேலனுக்கு அர்ச்சனை. உத்தமர் கோயில் மூவருக்கு அர்ச்சனை. ஆணைக்கா தலை மூழ்கி. பாலூர் கரியனுக்கு அர்ச்சனை தவறாது செய்திட்டால் சாபம் விலகும்.

As I had brought on myself the results of my past actions or karma that have come to haunt me, Agathiyar gives me solutions to lessen its impact in this birth. When in later years I told Tavayogi that I only came to know about the subject of karma and my past through this Nadi reading when I was 43 years of age, he told me to be grateful at least you came to know, although quite late in life. Giving me a list of temples I should visit and pray to the deities there, he introduced me to do charity, to part away with my money, and giving to others in other forms. After my first lesson on karma he taught me my next that of giving. 

தீட்சை காண்டம்

தடைகளும் மீளவே பரிகாரம் கணபதியின் மந்திரத்தைக் குறிக்கவே மண்டலமே நாட்கள் மொத்தம் உரு 108 சொல்லி.

முன்னேற்றம் சித்தர்களை வணங்குவதால்.

சிவ பூசை மேன்மை காட்டும்.

In the Theetchai Kaandam he elaborates further the rites and prayers to be done, after spelling them out in the General Canto or Pothu Kaandam. Here he gives me mantras to chant namely Lord Ganapathy's, and introduces me officially to the worship of the Siddhas. He asks to continue puja to Lord Shiva.

ஞான காண்டம்

காணவே ஈசனோடு பூசை. அகத்தியனின் வழிபாடு.

பஞ்ச பூத ஸ்தலங்கள் சென்றும் அண்ணாமலை வளமும் வர. ஈசனுக்குப் பூசை செய்து வேலனுக்குப் பூசை அங்கு.

Coming to the Gnana Kaandam he adds on more temple visits and puja. 

முதலில் தேக சுத்தி வேண்டும் அப்பா. வாசியின் பயிற்சி செய்யப் பிரம்ம வேலை சிறந்ததாகும். சூரிய கலை சந்திர கலை சுத்தமுடன் இயக்கத்தைச் சுவாசம் தன்னையே உள் நிறுத்திப் பூசை செய்ய, செய்கின்ற வேலை தன்னில் தவறாது பிராணாயாமம் உமக்குத் தோன்றும். சிறப்புதான் குருமாரின் தீட்சை பெற்று சுத்தமுடன் இயங்கிடவே மேன்மை காட்டும். தான் அவரும் எதிர்பாரா அமையக் கிட்டும்.

Agathiyar now introduces me to breathing exercises or Pranayama. He tells me that a guru would come by to teach and help me advance in this practice. True to his words if prior to this I was doing Yogasanas and Pranayama reading from books, he sent Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal over to Malaysia to coach us in the years to come.

அதுபோல் சித்தர்களின் நாமம் தன்னை செய்யச் சுகம் உண்டு. தவறில்லா எனக்குமே ஆலயம் அமைக்க. பொதுச் சேவை சிந்தனைகள் மேன்மை காட்டும். 45 தன்னில் இருக்க உரைத்திடுவோம் ஆசி.

He tells me the worship of the Siddhas would bring comfort. He brings up the subject of building a temple for him. He asks that I channel my resources in the service to others. And he stops at that, telling me that he shall see me when I was 45 years of age. He sent me out of the class to carry out all that he had told me. If I follow and fulfill his words, he would address me in the Nadi again in three years' time.

THE STORY OF A MANTRA REVEALED

சிற்சபைக்கும் பொற்சபைக்கும் தலைவா போற்றி

சிரம் வணங்கி அகத்தியனும் வாக்கு சொல்வேன் 

பொற்பதமாய் வாழ்ந்துவரும் எங்கள் பிள்ளை 

பெருமையான ஷண்முகம் அறிவதற்கு 

அறியும் நாள் ஆசி அருள் கருணை உண்டு 

அஞ்ஞானம் நிலை நீங்கி மெய் திடமும் காணப் 

பற்றற்று எந்தனுக்கு பூசை தன்னை 

பக்குவமாய் முழுமதி நாள்தோறும் 

நாள் நாளும் செய்வதைக் கண்டு வியந்தேன் 

நல் மகிழ்ச்சி சித்திரை முழு மதி நாளில் 

நாள் மாந்தர் இருந்தாலும் நலமோடு பூசை 

நாயகனே செய்வாயே மகிழ்ச்சி அப்பா 

அப்பனின் அருள் கருணை நாளும் இருக்க 

ஆனந்த நிலை நிலைக்கும் உந்தனுக்கு 

நாள் நாளும் நேரமும் காலமும் பாரா 

நாயகனே உன் இல்லம் தன்னில் நான் வாசம் செய்யக் 

கள்ளமில்லா தெளிவு நிலை பெறுவார் திண்ணம் 

காலந்தான் கோல் ஆட்சி தன்னால் அல்லல் 

அல்லல் நிலை சேய் மூப்பு கண்டால் அப்பா 

அகத்தியன் யான் அருளாலே வெற்றி திண்ணம் 

நல்லபடி சித்தர்கள் நாமம் தொழுது 

நிறைவாகச் செய்யும் பூசைதனை ஏற்றோம் 

ஏற்றோமே நிறை குறை தனையும் தான் 

ஏது குறை தான் செய்யும் தொண்டு தன்னில் 

சிறப்புடனே சித்தர்களும் 

செய்யும் பூசை தன்னாலே மகிழ்ந்தோம் நாங்கள் 

மகிழ்ச்சியும் மாந்தர்க்கும் 

மகத்துவமானதொரு எந்தன் மூலம் 

இகபரத்தில் ஓதிடுவேன் நாளும் சொல்ல 

இக மாந்தர் தனக்குமே ஓதச் சிறப்புச் 

சிறப்பு தரும் யாவர்க்கும் நலமே திடம்தான் 

சிக்கல் இல்லா வெற்றிகளும் தேடி வருமே 

அற்புதங்கள் அதனாலும் ஆனந்தம் நிலைக்கும் 

அறிவிக்க ஓம் ஸ்ரீம் சற்குரு பதமே 

பதமுமே சாப பாவ விமோசனம் 

அதுவே ரோக அகங்கார தூர் விமோசனம் 

சித்த சகலம் சர்வ தேவ ஒளி ரூபம் 

சற்குருவே அகத்திய கிரந்த கர்த்தாய வென 

என ஓதி வழிபாடு பூசையும் செய்ய 

ஏகாந்தம் நிலை நிலைக்கும் உலகு தன்னில் 

அனந்த ஜோதியும் தன்னுள் மிகுந்து 

அருள்ஜோதி தனை கண்டு வியந்து போவாய் 

நாள் நாளும் வெற்றிகளும் பெறுவதற்கு 

நாயகனே என் துணையும் நாளும் உண்டு 

கள்ளமில்லா சிந்தையும் கொண்டிருக்கக்

கலியுகத்தில் பேர் நிலைக்கும் உனக்கு முற்றே 

When I went in for a Nadi reading on 19 April 2011 I was surprised to receive a mantra from Agathiyar. I guess it was a gift from him for my dedication in doing the Siddhar Puja or worship to the Siddhas. I was one to put everything to action immediately the moment I receive it or purchase it as in clothing etc. There was no waiting for the right time to begin. I would immediately get on with it or get to do it. I believe that if it was meant for another moment I would not receive it now. So I got to chant the mantra. 

But before I started on it as the words were merged with the other text in the Nadi revelation I and Nadi Nool Aasan T.Ramesh had to piece it together. The result turned out to be very pleasing to the ears. 

ஓம் ஸ்ரீம் ஓம் சற்குரு பதமே 

சாப பாவ விமோசனம் 

ரோக அகங்கார தூர் விமோசனம்

சர்வதேவ சகலசித்த  ஒளி ரூபம் 

சற்குருவே ஓம் அகத்திய கிரந்த கர்த்தாய நம  

As Agathiyar asked me to recite and share it with others I recorded the chant and found a wonderful and appropriate piece of music from Pradeep Swaminathan's "Vinayagar Agaval" to accompany the mantra. It turned out fine to my ears. I posted it to YouTube. 

Then came along a sibling of my nephew's friend who queried why he had received a slightly different version of the mantra. Over the years I learned that others too had received a variation of the mantra. I carried on what was given to me. I would chant anything given by Agathiyar even if it was wrong to others' perceptions or hearing. I know that Agathiyar would forgive me. The important thing is to start on it right away instead of doubting the mantra given or comparing it with others or investigating its authenticity.

It reminds me of a story. A story is told of the young lad who was trained in a monastery and excelled in his religious studies. When the time was right for him to go out to the world beyond the safety and confines of the walls surrounding the monastery to learn and gain practical experience, his master summoned him and gave him a task too. He was asked to preach to the village folks who lived across the river banks, what he had learned at the monastery. The student was floating on cloud nine for being the chosen one to embark on a prestigious mission, thinking that would bring him pride and recognition in the local community.

He bid farewell to his master and traveled the long distance till he came to the bank of the river. As he stood at the bank and gazed at the village on the opposite bank, he turned around to look for any boatman who could take him across the wide and deep river. There was no boat to be seen but his gaze fell on an old man who was seated on the ground in the shade of a tree some distance away. The lad walked towards him and could not fail but notice that he seemed to be mumbling something to himself. On nearing him, the lad was surprised to hear the same mantra that he had been chanting at the monastery, was being chanted by the old man, but with a slight variation. The lad immediately apprehended the man telling him that he was chanting it all wrong and began to recite it the way he was taught at the monastery. The old man whose chanting was abruptly interrupted, gladly listened to the lad and repeated the mantra as taught by him, and thanked him for enlightening him.

The young lad was proud that he had begun his mission right there on the shore of the riverbank by passing on the mantra to his very first student - the old man. Soon a boatman came along and he boarded the boat asking the boatman to take him across to the village. As they approached the middle of the wide and deep river, the lad noticed the boatman, who was seated across from him and rowing the boat, gasp, his face suddenly changed pale and his jaw dropped. What had he seen that had shocked him, the lad thought as he turned around. To his surprise he saw the old man wading across the river towards their boat, walking quite naturally on the water's surface. The lad too was stunned seeing the feat. The old man came alongside the boat and told the lad that he had forgotten a syllable from the mantra and asked the lad to repeat it. The lad held on to the old man, hugged him tightly, and cried, asking to be pardoned for his arrogance. The lad followed the old man back to the river bank never stepping foot in the village. He took the old man as his master and served him in his old age. He dropped his ego and pride that day.

Recently I compiled another video with the footage of the puja at the original old Kallar ashram and that at the current new Ashram some 2 kilometers away. 

LET US PONDER & ACT

As I am a pensioner, I am not relatively affected by the pandemic as many have. I can afford to stay at home. My bills are paid online. I can abide by all the rules laid in the event I need to go shop for groceries. Besides this chore, there is no other reason for me to be out. I sit at prayer and try to meditate. Otherwise, I write this blog or watch those wonderful documentaries aired on TV. But those breadwinners especially the daily wage earners, and those who are paid only when they complete a sales or a given task, and those laid off by their companies are jeopardized as a result of the numerous lockdowns and partial lockdowns. Then we see our grandchildren and children all couped up in their homes. School-going children now sit before their computers following the online classes. My family optician once shared with me the reason for more and more children having to wear glasses to correct their eyesight. She told me that by staying without four walls their eye muscles adapt to this limited field of vision in comparison to those children outdoors who get to exercise them as they pan and look beyond the horizon. This was before the pandemic. Now as all outdoor activities are forbidden one fears for their eyesight getting even worse. The pandemic has indeed turned our world upside down.

It saddened me when family and friends found themselves having to live off their savings, with some counting the days before their funds are exhausted. The pandemic has been going on for far too long with many more variants and mutations taking place. The vaccines too need to be improved constantly. But we are equally helpless. We are told to save ourselves by adhering to the SOP's that are given. We are told that, that and the vaccine should keep us safe. We shall follow as told.

We then turn to the Siddhas for an answer as to what is happening here. They remained silent for the past year and a half, except for a couple of occasions. At the beginning of the year, Agathiyar told us to pray towards Lord Shiva asking him to show mercy and told us that he too shall pray for us. Meanwhile, he told us to adhere to all the rules and SOP's from the authorities. We did as told. Recently we gathered together again, each one of us in his own home, and appealed again. Lord Shiva told us that it would take some time, which made us understand that it is going to be a long uphill battle yet. He hinted that we have to undo what we have done earlier. So the ball is in our court now. We have brought it on ourselves. Have the Gods washed their hands of the case?

When the scientist warned us over the years of impending dangers to the earth and the world we live in, many nations turned a deaf year. As a psychologist mentions to Greta Thunberg that people were generally more concerned about making a living and the matters on hand rather than think about the consequences of their cumulative actions on the weather and climate change in the future. Climate change has never been treated as an emergency. But now when the pandemic rears its head it has called for an urgency and an emergency too. Individual behavior and politics have changed. It needed the pandemic to move heads of nations to clamp down on industries and public movement at least for a sufficient time to allow the Prapanjam to take a breath. Is this the change that the Siddhas have been telling us to prepare for? Greta Thunberg in BBC Earth's "A Year to Change the World" stated that "In a crisis, we change our behavior and adapt to the new circumstances for the greater good of society." Yes, "The crisis has given the energy to change." The pandemic has shown that everything can change overnight. Yes, it has indeed. But has it changed for good? Will we be back to our old ways once the pandemic is over? 

Speaking of hope Greta says "Hope doesn't come with words. It comes with action." Marine Biologist Dr. Asha de Vos says the same too, “And as long as there is reason to hope,” she says, “We must keep working.” (Source: https://www.bbcearth.com/news/how-do-we-make-our-planet-perfect-again)

Greta mentions that she is often asked if her actions have seen results. She is rather disturbed and replies, "Do you really think this is up to children to do....?" Scientists "have both witnessed, first-hand, the myriad ways that humans have upset the delicate balance of our planet’s ecosystems."("https://www.bbcearth.com/news/how-do-we-make-our-planet-perfect-again.)

"The ‘Greta generation’ care deeply about the environment and are rightly holding those in power to account for their poor stewardship of the planet.”

When a guru predicted that an asteroid coming close to the earth in 2012 would have it turn anticlockwise and have us lose all traces of our memory momentarily and bring on a new perspective after the world was reset, if that had happened it would have brought us into that fresh state of mind without any effort on our part. The event was said to have been postponed to 2018. But it did not take place either. Could the Gods have rewritten the event? Could it be that the divine wants us to bring the desired change with total awareness on our part? Is that happening now?

Writer Jenny Offill in speaking about her book "Weather" on DW Channel's Arts.21's episode on "The World of Books" (https://www.dw.com/en/the-world-in-books-arts21/av-57958781) highlights the change she saw. "Scientists don't go beyond their data. They are even-minded (level-minded) but these days they too are sounding the alarm", she says.

Could the pandemic have given the earth a tremendous opportunity to reset asked the scientist? "Right now we don't speak the same language as the planet," says a scientist. "Not only politics but people's mindset has to change," says another. 

Greta laments that she doesn't understand why people listen to her. "You are listening to me. But I don't want people to do that. I want them to listen to the signs before it's too late."

At https://www.bbcearth.com/news/how-do-we-make-our-planet-perfect-again, we are told to play a role in saving our planet. Dr. Asha de Vos asks "How do we remind ourselves that we are a part of nature and that by saving it, we are saving ourselves?” She says,

"I feel that we are at a turning point and it truly is up to us to use our collective intelligence for good, for the sake of the planet and ultimately ourselves....In empowering more people with the stories of our ocean and our incredible planet will help us to drive change.... It’s a constant reminder that we need to do better, we need to find balance."

Dr. Niall McCann, a biologist, explorer, and conservationist says "Sudden, dramatic changes are what stick in the memory, and really emphasize what we have done to the planet and the problems we face because of it.” Indeed if the scientist saw more major changes take place, a pensioner and common man staying at home like me too, am beginning to see its impact. The morning mists that brushed my face as I stood outside my home, not in the distant past but just some 27 years back, is gone. The dust that settles on my laptops and Tv set tells me that all is not well.

Dr. Niall adds, 

“Thankfully many of the actions that reduce our impact on the planet are also very good for our health. Changing established habits is difficult for lots of people, but is made much easier when they know that others are also doing so....Each and every one of us has it within our power to turn the tide on climate change and biodiversity loss, through the decisions we make in our lives and the way we choose to interact with the world around us. As the Dalai Lama said, ‘if you think you’re too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito’.”

We are told that we have to change our behavior. We cannot bring climate change without individual change. Greta was told that there has been a significant reduction and substantial lowering of emissions from Jan 2020 to April 2020. Just like Greta started bringing the change from home, let us ponder and act on bringing the change too.

For about two years, Thunberg challenged her parents to lower the family's carbon footprint and overall impact on the environment by becoming vegan, upcycling, and giving up flying. She has said she tried showing them graphs and data, but when that did not work, she warned her family that they were stealing her future. Giving up flying in part meant her mother had to give up her international career as an opera singer. When interviewed in December, 2019 by the BBC, her father said: "To be honest, (her mother) didn't do it to save the climate. She did it to save her child because she saw how much it meant to her, and then, when she did that, she saw how much (Greta) grew from that, how much energy she got from it." Thunberg credits her parents' eventual response and lifestyle changes with giving her hope and belief that she could make a difference.

Let us each make a difference in our own small way.

REAPING THE REWARDS

Carl Sagan marvels at books,

"What an astonishing thing a book is. It’s a flat object made from a tree with flexible parts on which are imprinted lots of funny dark squiggles. But one glance at it and you’re inside the mind of another person, maybe somebody dead for thousands of years. Across the millennia, an author is speaking clearly and silently inside your head, directly to you. Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people who never knew each other, citizens of distant epochs. Books break the shackles of time. A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic." (Source: https://www.brainpickings.org/2012/05/08/carl-sagan-on-books/)

If Carl Sagan says that a book breaks the shackles of time, Franz Kafka wrote to his childhood friend, the art historian Oskar Pollak telling him that a book should break us too like an axe splits.

"I think we ought to read only the kind of books that wound and stab us. If the book we’re reading doesn’t wake us up with a blow on the head, what are we reading it for? So that it will make us happy, as you write? Good Lord, we would be happy precisely if we had no books, and the kind of books that make us happy are the kind we could write ourselves if we had to. But we need the books that affect us like a disaster, that grieve us deeply, like the death of someone we loved more than ourselves, like being banished into forests far from everyone, like a suicide. A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us. That is my belief." (Source: https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/06/06/kafka-on-books-and-reading/)

One such book, I picked up at my college library back in the late seventies. It was titled "Learn to Say NO." That book changed me. I began to say NO. That has saved me from lending into trouble many a time. This principle that I held taught me to turn down the many gifts too that came my way while traveling this path. Sadly I cannot seem to recall the author who helped me to say NO. 

Then Thumper in Disney's "Bambi" teaches us a few things too. One is to zip up if we do not have something nice to say. “If you don’t have somethin’ nice to say, don’t say nothing at all.” 

Agathiyar too told us to refrain from engaging in debates and arguments. "Let it be" he often told us. He wants us to focus on our purpose in coming here. Right now he has replaced my laptop that just went blank and "replaced" my eyesight so that I shall continue to write. And I shall.

Just as Tavayogi in his welcome speech to all the devotees of Agathiyar who came to witness and participate in the annual puja for Agathiyar at Kallar Ashram, acknowledges that be it whatever spiritual, religious, or political movements, it needs the patronage of seekers, devotees, and followers to exist and survive, this blog too is kept alive by the live feeds from Agathiyar, fellow seekers, and readers alike. 

As the Portuguese writer and journalist, Rui Cardoso Martins in speaking to DW Channel's Arts.21 for the episode on "The World of Books", mentions, "I appreciate everything that comes from the externals......meet, talk with someone, or hear and that something is most important for my work because people say things extraordinary all the time...... all the material from life can go to my work in one way or another", this blog is exactly the coming together of experiences of many who traveled the path of the Siddhas.

Speaking to Suren over the phone yesterday he appreciated what I was doing through the blog. In these pages, you shall not find the doctrines and philosophy, and other jargon often associated with the Siddhas. Here you shall find practical tips for a family man to pursue both his ideals and at the same time pursue the path. This has often been said by Tavayogi too, in making the call to come to the path. 

The Siddhas too did not dump all this jargon on us but rather took us by the hand and walked us through the path giving us wonderful insights and practical tips. Just as there is a whole wide series of books published by Dummies, covering every aspect of life for dummies, we took heed and guidance from them. When there were beautiful sights and sounds that came from the bank as we sailed down the river of salvation, we chose not to berth alongside the banks and investigate. Watching from afar we continued on the journey. That is how we escaped the grips of the many temptations that were illusions that manifested to lure us away from His goal. The lineage saw to it that we did not fall for them. After having placed all the efforts in carrying out all their dictates all these years without fail, it is now the period where we are rewarded instantaneously.

In wanting to show our gratitude towards their compassion and grace, as we turned the pages of life looking for the ideal gift to give to God, we realized that nothing we gave them was going to match what they have given us. We had the sense to realize that whatever we decide to give in return shall be what they have given in the very first place. All we could do was repackage their gifts and treasures. If I had taken up reading the horoscope; learning Siddha medicine; both that would have come easily; reading the Nadi that was to be gifted; if I had taken up the gift of healing; if I had taken up the task of building the temple; or asked to be born again and again to serve him in all my births; I would never have sought the much-acclaimed Gnanam. Tavayogi who often drives the need for us to attain the state of Gnanam would today look down from the skies with pride for we had taken up only this bait among the many. Then again Agathiyar came to reveal that Gnanam was not something given by him but that we needed to earn through our efforts. Finally, he reveals the ultimate desire that one should carry. It was the desire not only to join their entourage but to become one of them.  In short to become a Siddha. That would be the greatest gift of all time. 

So when Lord Murugan asked me to build a temple for him, I remained silent but I guess he must have read my thought bubble where my mind questioned the need for yet another temple when there were numerous existing temples for him. He replied that I shall do it differently. I was asking myself what did he mean and in what sense shall it be different from others. How could one build a temple differently when there are Shilpa Shastras and Vastu Sastras to abide with? The self-proclaimed custodians of these ancient practices shall tear us down and the temple too. Looking back now I tend to see what he meant. When many heads of peedhams and ashrams followed to the word and carried on the many rituals that were handed down through their lineages out or respect and fear less they earn the wrath of their gurus if they were to deviate, modify or stop entirely such practices, I was given leeway in many of the rituals we carried out at AVM. I thought that maybe I was spared the whip because ours was a home puja and not a temple, peedham, or ashram in that sense. When I refused to budge, Lord Murugan sent Agathiyar to talk me into carrying it out. I refused to move either. Finally, Agathiyar told me he would do it. When the timeframe of 18 months given by him neared and there was nothing happening, Agathiyar came to reveal that he had tested me if I would fall for the trap. Thank God I was saved!

Ramalinga Adigal says it beautifully "போதும் என்ற மனமே பொன் செய்யும் மருந்து" and goes on to explain its meaning. "நீ போதும் என்று சொல்லும் நிலை உன்னை அறியாமல் நீ பெற்றுக்கொண்டுதான் இருக்கிறாய்."

STEP OUT OF IT

As I sit and look out of my window into the garden and look back on life and the many options it gave me I realized that the divine had given us the free will and choice in making choices and decisions all life long. If I am here today it is because of the cumulative decisions I had made at each moment in my life. As I ponder on the many choices that I made and the consequences if I had decided otherwise, I realize that if we had made the right decisions it was because we had the divine standing by us. Our worship bore fruit as Ramalinga Adigal sings பலித்தது பூசையென்று உந்தீபற.

Ramalinga Adigal lists out the outcome and results of his puja finally concluding that he became a Siddha too in the song titled திரு உந்தியார் from his Thiru Arutpa. He reveals to us how we should worship too as in பரவி and தொழுது மகிழ்ந்தேன். There should be joy in sitting before one's choice of a deity. Worship should not be mechanical. 

1. இரவு விடிந்தது இணையடி வாய்த்த
பரவி மகிழ்ந்தேன்என்று உந்தீபற
பாலமுது உண்டேன்என்று உந்தீபற.

2. பொழுது விடிந்தது பொற்பதம் வாய்த்த
தொழுது மகிழ்ந்தேன்என்று உந்தீபற
தூயவன் ஆனேன்என்று உந்தீபற.

3. தூக்கம் தொலைந்தது சூரியன் தோன்றினன்
ஏக்கம் தவிர்ந்தேன்என்று உந்தீபற
இன்னமுது உண்டேன்என்று உந்தீபற.

4. துன்பம் தவிர்ந்தது தூக்கம் தொலைந்தது
இன்பம் கிடைத்ததென்று உந்தீபற
எண்ணம் பலித்ததென்று உந்தீபற.

5. ஞானம் உதித்தது நாதம் ஒலித்தது
தீனந் தவிர்ந்ததென்று உந்தீபற
சிற்சபை கண்டேன்என்று உந்தீபற.

6. திரையற்று விட்டது செஞ்சுடர் தோன்றிற்று
பரைஒளி ஓங்கிற்றென்று உந்தீபற
பலித்தது பூசையென்று உந்தீபற.

7. உள்ளிருள் நீங்கிற்றுஎன் உள்ளொளி ஓங்கிற்றுத்
தெள்ளமுது உண்டேன்என்று உந்தீபற
தித்திக்க உண்டேன்என்று உந்தீபற.

8. எந்தையைக் கண்டேன் இடரெலாம் நீங்கினேன்
சிந்தை மகிழ்ந்தேன்என்று உந்தீபற
சித்திகள் பெற்றேன்என்று உந்தீபற.

9. தந்தையைக் கண்டேன்நான் சாகா வரம்பெற்றேன்
சிந்தை களித்தேன்என்று உந்தீபற
சித்தெலாம் வல்லேன்என்று உந்தீபற.

10. முத்தியைப் பெற்றேன்அம் முத்தியினால் ஞான
சித்தியை உற்றேன்என்று உந்தீபற
சித்தனும் ஆனேன்என்று உந்தீபற.

Our prayer should then be to the divine to guide us the right way and to make the right decisions and not to ask for our wishes and desires to be fulfilled. Today I have come to realize that this is the arivu or good sense that Tavayogi always talks about. In days of the past, the elders spoke about and cautioned us to act right as they would remind us that we and our actions were being watched. They called it the silent witness our manasatchi or conscience. These days and in these dark times where it is every man for himself,  it has become a forgotten word. 

I was not one to order a cup of tea and sit and wait for others to turn up and pull up a chair and talk about everything under the sky. I wasn't keen on listening to others' personal problems. I was never into small talk. But it does find its way to my door occasionally. For instance, just a moment with my neighbor saw a conversation start when he pointed out to a neighbor who drove a new and different car each day. I knew from my daughter who went to service her car that he worked as a salesperson at the car sales and service outlet. Hence he gets to drive home the test driven cars. Even before I had finished pointing this fact to my neighbor he went on filling me about the salesperson. I had no need to know that. This is what many do, carry with them - trash, garbage, and rubbish. Already as it is we are carrying our baggage of karma and looking for someone who can help unload them. Why do we need to carry information, news, stories about others that do not matter in our lives? 

Another instance of another person carrying trash and spilling it wherever he goes is when I encountered him as I took my car in to be serviced. The foreman who was attending to his car walked up to me ushering me and asking what was the problem with my car. He got on to attend my car immediately. The man joined us. He continued his talk with the foreman pulling me into his conversation. It was about politics. He did not have anything nice to say either. As I could not leave as yet and I knew that if I did not put the brake on his talk he would continue for hours on end, I had to stop him. I intruded. I pointed to him that he would have brought up the subject that morning as he had his morning tea; would have spoken to another the night before, and would have spilled it to others the past days and weeks. I told him it was enough and asked him to talk about his family. He had nothing to say. He remained quiet. 

Other instances are, as at events and functions where someone would draw up a chair and break into an ongoing conversation that was going fine with people of the same frequency indulging on their favorite subject of sports, recreation, charity or worship. He would open up about politics or the sad state of affairs and hijack the conversation. Just like a pot of milk is ruined by a drop of poison, he ruins the day for us. As we have the choice in whom we want to associate with I leave the conversation. 

In my days of working, there would be a crowd gathered at a table at the only stall across my office building where I get to have a decent vegetarian meal. But I could not savor the meal due to the din and noise and loud conversation that they make. And these are adults mind you. Someone would open up the day's newspaper and read aloud while the others listen on. Then begins the round of condemnation and accusations. Never was there a good word or an appreciation said or put across. When we have a choice even in what we want to read they choose to see the dark news among all the news carried in the papers. I would sit at the far end of the stall, hurriedly finish my meal and leave. Five years later I came back to my HQ ending my short stint of working at a development project in the suburbs of the city, the same crowd was there minus a few whom I presumed had kicked the bucket or transferred out. There were some new faces recruited too. But the scenario never changed. The daily newspaper was spread out and the comments went around. I walked up to them and asked the lot when are they going to change? Five years is a long time and ample time for a soul to evolve to higher planes of consciousness. These people seemed to be caught in the web forever. I left in disgust.

Only recently did I come to know that these are the sector of society that are classified as Rogis who are either bent to do harm to others or unknowingly bring it upon others. 

The Bhogis are focus on living a good life and never disturb others. They are those who have made great strides and advancements in their respective fields and often successful in life. It would need an appointment to meet them. We need to pay to hear them talk. Their opinions have a price. They are not into small talk with the commoners. 

The Yogis on the other extreme end of human evolution are one with the divine and never bother others too. They are those who have made great strides and advancements in evolving their souls to higher levels of spirituality. They are not sought out as we often fail to recognize them. They are never engaged in talk. If at all they talk it is a priced word. Just as Goddess Ma told us that she only comes when a good soul steps into her temple, they only speak to souls whom they relate to. They dwell in the serenity, peace, and bliss that their seclusion gives them. 

It is the Rogis who are between the two extremes who have all the time to engage in all matters of the world that are not beneficial to them nor the society. On the contrary, they do more harm than good. 

And so there came a time when I could not associate with others anymore. We did not have a common topic to talk about. All I knew and spoke about was Agathiyar. I felt zapped off my energy each time I was out in the public and in crowded places. As I had a choice I opted to stay indoors and to myself. I soon built a fortress around me to save my sanity and peace. I fully understand now that is what Agathiyar has done too after my retirement in 2015 and continues to do till this day. I realize that Agathiyar is helping me stay focused and achieve what I came to do with minimal intrusion. I had no colleagues call me up after I retired. Agathiyar made sure that nothing of unimportance reached my ears. He made sure that I was not bothered by the happenings in my family circle, keeping them under wraps from me. 

He had me go within that is not easy as I came to realize and as acknowledged by him too. I kept away from following the news on television and the online papers, relying on my wife to inform me of any important news if I needed to know. If he had physically shut me up in my home the past year and a half just months before the discovery of the Coronavirus, the several partial and full lockdown had us stay indoors further. Then with the pandemic raring its ugly hood, I had to know what was happening. The news disturbed me. We pleaded to the divine to show his mercy. Lord Shiva listened to our prayer. Just as we have to pay the price of our past deeds and karma, he tells us that there is nothing much the divine can do as we have brought it on ourselves. Yet the most compassionate father did not abandon his children. He has asked us to recite his Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra that removes fear. He has asked us to recite the Dhanvantri mantra that acts as a force field and shields us from harm's way. Agathiyar told us to adhere to the advice and follow all the rules set by the authorities. Just as we carry out remedies for our past karma, by adopting all these measures we can save ourselves and our loved ones. The onus is on us to take all the necessary precautions.  

Those on the path of the Siddhas have been given an additional task and a huge responsibility too, that of assisting the Prapanjam in its time of need. If we had tapped into the Prapanjam that kept us alive all this while, we are asked to cleanse and heal her now. Is the Prapanjam sick then? Have we made her sick throwing toxic and material wastes, hurling words of abuse and anger, and taking from her but never replenishing her or giving back? Lord Shiva has asked us to conduct the ritual of lighting the sacrificial fire or Homam in our individual homes once a week. This will do some good as revealed by Tavayogi in his speeches. 

Prior to that, Agathiyar asked me to take up from where I left my practice of Yoga Asanas and Pranayama after he put them on hold for my lower back to heal. This was taught to Mahindren who brought it to those who were keen to learn. Later both Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal came to keep a tab on them reminding and asking them to do it in their presence. Ramalinga Adigal came to teach us to connect with the Prapanjam. We never knew that these would come in handy in these times of the pandemic where we struggle to breathe. 

Although there is uncertainty as to when the pandemic that came to hover over our heads in December of 2019 and is seen to move into full gear will end, the divine is working through the scientist, researchers, and the medical profession to bring us out of these dark times. All we need to do on our part is listen to them. Just as it is a known fact that the body heals itself, the Siddhas too who are the Prapanjam, part of it and in it, are in tapas or tavam seeking to cleanse and heal it. Let us work in unison towards bringing an end to this pandemic. 

STAY STRONG

A reader and friend who has gone through much in the past weeks wrote to me, "Nice write-up ayya. Do write more ayya." She like many others in the past follow this blog.

• Namaste Sir, I have been following your blog for some time.. For people who have succumbed to their ill fate blogs like yours come like a ray of hope..

• Sir, I went thru your blogspot. Very divine and inspiring

• Sir, i read your blog and that you so much for your posts. thank you for the moola mantra of agasthya really i am blissed out, your page opened by accident and i believe agasthya wanted me to have his mantra, i would really love to talk to you ....if this message reaches you could you please give me your

• Sir....i found out many answer to my quest....by reading your blogs. Many thanks

• I follow all your articles about siddhars and Im devotee of satguru agasthiar, jegatguru, jeganath swamigal and seshadri mahan.thanks ayya ..your articles really mind blowing..hope you continue to guide more malaysian people into siddha path..

• Hi sir. Thanks for a very enlightening post from none other than the great sage agasthiar. I really prayed to him to tell me about the working of karma and he replied through your post! I am thankful to both of you.

• நமஸ்காரம் சண்முகம் அவர்களே. தங்கள் சமீபத்திய கல்லார் தொகுப்பை பார்த்தேன், ஒளி நாடாவை பார்த்தேன். அற்புதம்.

This post is dedicated to these readers who have joined me in this journey. 

If we saw that the Siddhas stressed the importance of timing to their followers, for some it just isn't important where they cannot keep time and miss their appointments. On the other end are the realized souls who have gone beyond time and in fact manipulate it. For instance, Sundaramurthy Nayanar is said to have reversed time when he brought back alive a child who was swallowed by a crocodile years earlier. Praveen Mohan posted a photo of this miracle carved in stone at the temple on Fb. While traveling with Tavayogi we passed by this temple in Avinashi, Tavayogi narrated this story. 

If we are said to be under the influence of the planets, the younger Thirugnanasambanthar is said to have convinced the older Thirunavukkarasar about the ineffectiveness of these planets in determining the course of their journey for Sivan Adiyars or servants of Lord Shiva like them. He sang a padhigam that is called Kol Aru Thiru Padhigam.

Agathiyar revealed that when the soul evolves to a certain degree the planets transform into becoming our guru, and refrain from harming us. For this to take place one needs to travel the journey of external transformation and later travel within and be transformed internally. Patanjali's Yoga Sutra depicts this journey clearly. Where do we start? We start with ourselves.

There are two distinct types of people on both the extreme ends. The first walk past a temple indifferent to its existence. He has no notion about God or his creator. No amount of convincing shall make him step into the temple grounds. He does not believe in God but only believes in himself. He believes that he is in charge. He bulldozes through life to see his ideals materialize not worried about the consequences of his actions on others and the resulting law of cause and action or karma.  He has no idea nor does he give any importance to karma and goes about his worldly affairs. All he sees in this world is the glamour and glory that he could achieve. He does not have time to dwell on his true purpose. He will need a guru like Tavayogi to come by to remind him of his purpose.

The latter walk past the temple too but knowing pretty well that the divine resides within. He lives for God. He becomes the very institution. Time passes by without the least importance to him as he is in charge and takes control of it. He has burnt his karma in the fire of his tapas or austerities. He sees beyond this world, like Yogi Ramsuratkumar who tells his follower that he saw seven moons. To him, all the possible glamour and glory that one strives to achieve is meaningless compared to that which he sees beyond the perception of our physical eyes. He is one whom we call a Tavayogi.

Then there are others like us who are caught in the middle. People who are making the transition from the former to the latter. We look up to the temple for all our religious needs. We see God as an institution. We come to God asking for favors and move on with our lives. We say we surrender to God but yet try to take hold of our life. We are trapped in confusion as to our priorities in life. We feel trapped having to shoulder the immense responsibilities. We see the world as dark and gloomy. We need constant reassurance. Time is an all-important factor as we have to bring bread and butter to the dining table. We are caught in the web of time. And are liable to be broken anytime. We struggle to find our true identity and our relationship with our creator. But the comforting news is that we are in the midst of making the transition from the former to the latter. We will need a guru like Tavayogi to come by to bring clarity and understanding to life and its purpose.

To these souls, God comes knocking on his door. He sends a guru to show him the path. Just like one has to serve his sentence and only then is he freed, once the ramifications of our past actions are diluted the Siddha comes calling to free us from this bondage. We are given parikaram or remedies to carry out and asked to atone for our past and change a new leaf. He sends other upagurus to light up the path. Slowly but surely he weans us out of the material life and brings us to see our soul and that in others too. We now begin a journey of not living for ourselves but for God, doing the tasks given by him. We realize soon that doing God's work does not accumulate fresh karma. As long as we carry on doing what our hearts desire these actions gather karma. If they are good actions the good karma will have to be lived out too either in the future or another birth. If it is otherwise we obviously come back to pay for it. Our actions henceforth don't bind us to the cycle of birth and rebirth. Just like a prisoner is put to do community work and service as in a community sentence, we realize that only by doing His work can we redeem our past sins and turn over a new leaf.

Rejoice that we are halfway through this journey of transformation from man to divine. With his grace, we might make it in this life. If it is not possible we shall make a comeback like Arnold Schwarzenegger's iconic dialogue from Terminator, "I am back."

ADHERING TO TIME

I went for my Covid-19 vaccination yesterday. It was held at an assembly hall in a local university where my daughter studied near our home. I and the rest of the senior citizens were given red carpet treatment with students and volunteers ushering us all the way. I thank all those who are involved in seeing the smooth execution of this process and ensuring herd immunity is achieved. 

In the event, there is a delay in a procedure or treatment that is beyond our doing although we have arrived early, I believe that the divine has a say and has a hand in it. For instance, my appointment to receive the Covid-19 vaccine was at 12noon. I arrived much earlier than usual. But I was given the vaccine at precisely 1.58pm. I understood that it had to be administered at precisely that moment in time. Similarly, I went early for my dental appointment at 2pm some time back. Another patient arrived accompanied by his son. Soon another lady brought in her father. But the dentist called for both of them first before seeing me last. I took it that the divine wanted her to see me at 4pm at that particular moment in time. When Jnana Jothiamma had a particular Nadi reading among the numerous she had, Agathiyar halted the reading breaking it up into 5 sessions. He asked the Nadi reader to read each at a particular Hora or time. (Read further at https://www.prokerala.com/astrology/hora.php)

When we talk about surrender to the divine, what is asked of us is to surrender our desires, wishes, and will and take on the desires, wishes and will of the divine. But many understand it otherwise. There was a disciple of a living guru in Malaysia who told me that she doesn't lock her car and home telling me her guru shall take care. I thought to myself that these are basic safety precautions that one takes to protect his property from theft. And her guru is not a security guard who keeps tabs on her home. A staunch devotee of Agathiyar invited AVM Agathiyar over to his home and the family performed a Homam and Abhisegam to Agathiyar. Several days later thieves broke into his home during the time the family left their home to have lunch outside. The thieves carted away their cash, jewelry, and their second car. Their relatives who attended the puja started asking how could Agathiyar allow this, especially after having honored him in their home? How do we answer them? We must understand that we still have to do our part. Similarly, we cannot possibly ignore the well-being of our family and not go to work expecting the divine to feed them. Let us be practical. 

This attitude of shifting our responsibilities to the divine is rampant and prevalent in our circle. Can we expect Agathiyar to save us if we do not adhere to the SOP's listed during these times of the pandemic? Agathiyar told us to observe and follow the rules laid down. He will make sure that we are safe. And so to top up the protective gear that the SOP's provide Lord Shiva asked us to recite the Maha Mrithyunjaya Mantra that removes the fear of death and the unknown and the previous vasanas that come forth as our fears in us, bringing calm, peace, and acceptance to us in these uncertain times. Lord Shiva then gives us the Dhanvantri Mantra too as an added protection shield that tops up our immunity and keeps illness at bay, and heal the sick. If at all we succumb to the virus even after taking all these precautions then we have to switch to the acceptance mode and only then surrender unto him, that he knows best. 

There is another sector of devotees who listen but hesitate to follow. Here thoughts and confusion stand in their way of receiving the goodness that the divine provides. They delay what is told or given and decide only later to proceed. Agathiyar tells us that குறித்த நேரத்தில் செய்யும் அனைத்தும் ஜெயம் telling us that the timely execution of all tasks shall bring success. Not a minute earlier nor later. By the time the message sinks into them or they brood over the advice or fail to take up the invitation, seconds tick way. When they finally decide to follow the planets might not be favorable, the agents of the divine stationed to aid us might have left, the resources might not be available. It is of utmost importance that we do not delay the asking of Agathiyar for he has arranged for everything to happen precisely at that moment and his way. 

When a doctor is recommended for a particular ailment based on the success rate of the case history of his patients, one should visit him immediately. Not visit him later for another ailment. Things then do go wrong since both the timing and the reason have changed. The formula, treatment, or medicine does not work then. Similarly, if the medicine is given it needs to be taken immediately. Not waiting to collect it on a day and waiting again to know the instructions to take it and finally taking it another day. Time has lapsed. 

I was one for adhering and keeping time. My family circle and friends know that I am punctual. I expect others too. Working with the military throughout my career taught me this life-saving need to keep time. Imagine if the soldiers were to assemble late upon the call to battle. We civilians were always undisciplined and turn up late. So during the years of our worship of the Siddhas at AVM, we adhered strictly to time. Soon the Siddhas came to take control of the timings, bringing the prayers earlier or bringing urgency to it.

In this path of the Siddhas, discipline is of utmost importance too. Adhering to advice, directive, instructions, and keeping time, and keeping up the given practice too are crucial for us to develop further. Many drop out or remain behind because of indiscipline. Tavayogi has expounded the need for discipline too in his speeches. A man who is discipline shall achieve much in life. 

THANK YOU AGATHEESA

Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar speaks about the need to have faith in the guru and his path. When confronted by an issue, Tavayogi would tell us, "Let it be. Agathiyar is there. He shall take care of it" and move away. He would never discuss the issue again. Lord Murugan came and surprised us by asking repeatedly if we had surrendered when he asks us to come before him. He wanted to gift/give each of us something. When I stood before him, he "chased me away" asking me to go to Agathiyar (to receive it). When Goddess Ma came to grant something else to us another day, she told me, "What am I suppose to give you. You get it from Agathiyar." When Ramalinga Adigal came he told me to continue to hold on tight to Agathiyar. When I was in Kallar ashram in 2005, Tavayogi told me that Agathiyar came the night before asking him what he was going to give me.

I told Agathiyar once that "I am blessed that every guru, Siddha, and deity acknowledges my faith in you. Thank you Agatheesa."

I don't have a reason why they shower so much kindness and compassion on us. But we are very thankful for that.

The Siddha Path Simplified

THE SIDDHAS ARE FOR REAL 2

When Agathiyar called out to Tirumular to come by the gesture of his hand and indicated a space to his right and then called Bhogar to his left I stepped back giving way to the mighty forces. But the most compassionate father invited me to step into the circle too to complete it. I stood speechless. When he went into the intimate details of a relationship between a husband and wife couple I got up to leave as it was getting tight and personal he held me back asking me to sit and listen. He told me that I needed to know. When someone felt hurt by my words and showed some resistance Agathiyar asked me to leave giving him the space to open up. Later he filled me in. He wanted me to know. 

When I started on this path I had two wishes. I wanted to see Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal and I voiced out my wishes to Tavayogi. He told me that they would come but questioned me if that was what I wanted. I knew then that there was more to this relationship than having their darshan. Our conversation ended there. I never imagined that someday Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal would step into our homes and grant our wishes. It was not the sort of darshan or vision that we have seen depicted in the Tamil Puranam or devotional movies. They came through others. But their presence and energy were felt throughout their stay that were initially very brief but of late they stay back for some time sharing their thoughts and grievances too besides teaching us techniques, healing devotees, and guiding and advising us.

When I took up Tavayogi's invitation to visit his Kallar ashram and Agathiyar's directive in the Nadi to spend some three to four days at his ashram in 2005, the morning after my arrival as Tavayogi invited me to join him in his morning walk around the small settlement adjoining his ashram, he told me that Agathiyar had come the night before. I just listened not knowing whether to believe him or not. He continued that Agathiyar told him since his son has arrived what was Tavayogi going to do for him. Tavayogi asked Agathiyar what should he do? Agathiyar replied that he will let him know later. I was in a daze as Tavayogi had surprised me just as Agathiyar had surprised him the night before. After remaining silent while he shared their conversation with me, I finally broke my silence asking him how Agathiyar had come? In the form of light answered Tavayogi. Many years later when I visited him again in 2013 with my family, he had some devotees bring us up to the hill behind his ashram to worship Agathiyar. He told me that that was the spot Agathiyar came in the form of light and gave him darshan when he stepped into Agathiyar Vanam in Kallar after completing his twenty-plus years' tenure as a mendicant with his 8-year tapas in Sathuragiri.

When a veterinarian doctor Dr. Nanjan accompanied Tavayogi in his subsequent visits to Malaysia he shared his experience in visiting an elderly couple who worshipped Agathiyar. When they allowed him permission to step into their prayer room, as the Dr. pushed the door open he saw Agathiyar rise from a reclining pose and tie his long hair and vanish. 

When Jnana Jothiamma came to visit Agathiyar and us in 2013 she told me the morning after her arrival that she could not sleep the night through as there was "heavy traffic" in my home. She had sat and watched the Siddhas coming and going about at my home. We were surprised but happy to hear about her experience as we had never laid eyes on them all those years. It was also during this visit of hers that Agathiyar chose to open his eyes in his bronze statue and look at us.

When a devotee friend stopped over at my home bringing an Australian lady of Chinese origin to visit Agathiyar briefly before her flight back home, she came out of our prayer room in tears telling us that Agathiyar stood the ceiling height and gave her darshan. We were not caught by surprise this time around. We were happy for her.

I then wanted others to have these experiences in their homes. Hence I encouraged them to carry out the rituals that Agathiyar and Tavayogi set me out to do that opened up a portal and served to bridge both our worlds. After AVM, Agathiyar had shown his presence in many of the homes of his devotees too.  Lord Shiva, Lord Murugan, Ramalinga Adigal, and the Siddhas, graced their homes too. All these were possible through the years of their worship to the Siddhas. 

If individuals have a calling from the Siddhas to come to the path, those eager to know the Siddhas could also call out to them. The easiest and tested way is by worship to them. All it takes is 24 minutes or a Nazhigai, of your time. I had published a compilation of songs relevant to aiding in this simple home puja. Invite them into your homes and befriend them. Your life shall change. You shall know the difference.