THE GREATEST SHOW STAGED

If in the beginning we were shown God as living in the temples or in other places of worship, and we had an altar adorned with paintings of these gods at home, generations to come would follow the tradition just as we had followed our parents, and they followed their parents. Life went on for us without care. In event of troubles, we stood before the deities at home and in the temples asking for deliverance from illness, suffering, misery, and to overcome the problems. We show this path of Sariyai to our children and grandchildren too. It stops at that. Nobody tells us what is beyond bhakti, devotion, worship, and these rituals.

A Ceylonese teacher taught me and my neighborhood friends Saiva Siddhantham lessons that primarily focused on singing hymns to Lord Shiva written by Shaiva saints from the 5th to the 9th century, known in their collected form as Tirumurai in his home. An interest to know about Christianity had me enroll in a  Bible correspondence course where lessons were mailed to me from Singapore while I attended the chapel services in my missionary school. Taking the bus daily to and fro to study at my college brought me to learn about Islam from the Pakistani gardener at the college who traveled with me.  

Wanting to know more about the agamas and traditions and the customs that were closely related to them, I began to read about them and put them into practice. I took up home puja and temple worship. These books guided me. I used to worship the pantheon of Hindu gods and goddesses at dawn and dusk. My housemate Francis Xavier Alexander would lie on his bed and enjoy my singing.

Then came a long break of 14 years where I dropped everything after I had a dream where Lord Shiva told me to cool it off. Transferred from the sleepy fishing village and the coastal town of Lumut to the busy city of Kuala Lumpur, I stayed with a Muslim colleague. I had time to cool off for some 10 months. After I married I only went to temples for the sake of my family. When my wife carried my second daughter we used to visit the temple in our neighborhood during the 48 days puja that followed the consecration of this new temple. When she was born I became a vegetarian for no particular reason. Bringing my children to the National Library my interest in reading was rekindled seeing the vast numbers of books in Tamil on all subjects.

Four years later Lord Shiva came through a painting of Lord Dhakshanamurthi that I was told to worship in preparation to meet my guru. This message mysteriously came through the masters in the lineage of my nephew's guru. Indeed the following year I read the Nadi and Agathiyar offered himself to be my guru. The following year he had me meet Supramania Swami of Tiruvannamalai and three years later Tavayogi of Kallar ashram. I had gurus in the physical form to guide me besides Agathiyar who came often in the Aasi Nadi readings. 

God who was in the paintings at our altar in the past began to speak through others. God who was in the 

form of statues at the temples began to reside in our homes. God who was a vibration in the temples and his abodes, in nature and in Prapanjam began to traverse within us bringing us to connect and experience his presence as a vibration. The pranayama practices we did further enhance the flow of prana within that brought us to a state of bliss. The ritual chanting and singing of the praises of God and the Siddhas charged the very surrounding making it conducive for the interaction between God and man to happen. If the pleasures of life appeased the senses and we derived joy and happiness, all the above brought us to an exalted state going beyond the body. The Atma in us, Jeevatma, connected us with God the Paramatma. The Jeevatma that pledged alliance with the body or Udal and the breath or Uyir led us to the Paramatma. The Jeevatma did not desert the Udal. Neither did it desert the Uyir. When the Paramatma comes within we break the norm and the accepted fact that death is inevitable. We attain deathlessness. The Atma brings lock, stock, and barrel, all of its company to meet the Param. Would the Paramatma come within? Do we deserve it? Are we ready? Is our body and mind ready for the avalanche?

It has been a long journey. But it only seems a long journey in our time-space. In reality, our lives pass by in a fraction of a second in the eyes of the divine. It is said that one complete day of Brahma is 8.64 billion human years. I can't even imagine the extent of that time period. Hence they do not seem perturbed by our sufferings and pain. If I had suffered and endured the excruciating pain in my lower back for some three years, Agathiyar brushed it off lightly. I understand now why he did that. Then again if all this was a play, even the pain shall come and go eventually just as actors come and go on the stage. Just as a play and the numerous acts and scenes entertain the spectators, this divine play is God's pastime. Do not fret for we had agreed to play it well. As we saw in the documentary "Inner Worlds & Outer Worlds" where we are told that, "It is as if there has been an invisible dancer, a shadow dancer hidden in the belly of the universe. All the other dancers have always danced around this hidden dancer" let us join hands with the divine in his play. This way we shall maintain calm and peace.

The ancient Indians not only calculated the complete day of Brahma but even his life span as 311.04 trillion years. Mind-boggling. This incidentally coincides with the life span of the universe. Wait we have more. This incidentally is the duration of one breath of Vishnu. We are told that Brahma came forth from Vishnu's belly. "When he exhales, thousands of universes emerge and one "Brahma" is born in each universe. When "Vishnu" inhales, all universes get sucked and Brahma dies." It is said that the first breath of creation started in the belly be it that of the Gods or humans. Read further at https://www.cs.ubc.ca/~goyal/age_of_universe.php. How did the ancients come to these findings? Tavayogi in his book, "Andamum Pindamum" says that they traced this time period beginning from what we have - the breath or Prana. 

All these do not surprise us when we study the body that is closest to us and is a mirror of the universe. In the following video, a Dr explains what goes on in our lungs and body in that minute span of one inhalation and exhalation. 

The breath traversing through us and the earth propelling it on its course are made possible only by the presence and existence of Prana. Man takes in 360 breaths in 1 Nazhigai (24 minutes). A day is equivalent to 60 Nazhigai. Hence he takes 21,600 breaths in a day. Of these, 14,400 return while 7,200 are wasted according to the following proportion. We spend 12 angulam of breath when we exhale. Of this 8 parts come within again. 4 parts are wasted. As man's stay on this earth is determined by the number of breaths that are given to him, now we realize the importance of pranayama that helps increase the prana within. It is a gift from the Rishis, and Siddhas to extend our lifespan which otherwise diminishes with time. 

It is this Prana Vayu that drives all the activities within our body and also in the universe. It is divided into 10 according to its tasks and location. Tavayogi lists them in his book"Atma Gnanam". The Abanan aids in excretion. We feel the touch of the skin through Viyanan. Utanan induces hunger and later digests the food intake and ingests the elements that maintain the body in top form. Nagan is the reason we have hiccups. Kurman makes us wink. Girikaran causes a sneeze and makes us cry. Thevathan brings on all our desired movements. Thananjayan remains behind after all his friends have left the body. He is the last to leave the dead body after three days. Samanan keeps all these Vayus or Air in balance, in other words, keeps tabs on them.

The Prana Vayu moves and drives all the above residing in the Pranamaya Kosam. The other Kosas is Annamaya Kosam that is the physical body that is fed and sustained with food and water. Our thought generates and resides in the Manomaya Kosam. Budhi and Arivu or intelligence and wisdom that are the guardians that decide to either initiate or terminate the actions that are mooted by our thoughts, resides in the Vingnanamaya Kosam. The place where Prana Vayu and Suzhuti come together is Anandhamaya Kosam. 

Besides these Kosas there are the energy vortexes or chakras within our body just as we have seen and experienced in sacred spots on earth.

Oh gosh, my head is spinning. There is so much to know. My family at times used to tease me asking whether I am studying for an exam. It looks like the learning shall never end.

SIDDHAS IN OUR AMAZING WORLD

I used to read a lot and I had tried everything I read. I read books on art as I loved drawing and painting. I put to use the techniques learned. Then I picked up books on Indian customs and religion. I adapted them in my life. I  read about health and followed every tip given. I invested my money in health products and took all the food that was claimed to do good. My attention then turned to Yoga. I tried all the methods and practices shown in books. I then began to perform puja at home while continuing my visits to the temples in the vicinity. I included every mantra that I came across in my puja.

This was how I spent my after-office hours as a bachelor in a lazy coastal town back in the eighties. In the office, a few seniors and I would exchange the things we read. Then in 1988, I had a dream that put a stop to all my activities. At the same time, I was transferred back to my HQ in the capital city. I refrained from all my previous activities. Even after my marriage the following year, I did nothing towards continuing these activities except occasionally I would take my family to the temple for their sake. In 1996, interest in seeing the horoscope was rekindled when an officemate used to talk about it. I came to know Dr.Krishnan, a Siddha physician, and astrologer. He was the first one to speak about the Nadi. But it did not kindle my interest then. When my second daughter was born in 1998, I became a vegetarian for no particular reason. In 2001, a great revival took place. I returned to worship the Gods and Goddesses as my nephew brought me a message, a mantra, and a painting from his lineage of gurus. The following year, I read the Nadi when interest came over me after my colleague spoke about his experience in seeing it two years earlier. That reading set my life on the path of the Siddhas. 

Searching for information on the Siddhas had me buy and read books about them. I had a renewed interest in religion and spirituality. I began to frequent the national library with my family. I began to read again. I gathered all the songs of praise to the Siddhas, that I came across in all these books, compiled them, and used them to sing during my home puja. My search took me to search on the net too. In all my readings the Siddhas were shown to be superhuman beings capable of doing Siddhis or simply said, magic in our eyes. They were made out to be living in another realm that was out of reach to us. Reading about them in these books and the net could not connect us with them. They seem to be fictitious characters from a comic book, literally unbelievable. They were made out to be so alien. The writings on the pages from these books and articles on the net were dry and too academic. My interest was not in who they were and how they lived but in the method and practice of worship to them. Since Agathiyar had specifically told me in the Nadi to worship them, I scouted around for organizations that could be engaging in their worship. I was disappointed as they were either into doing charity, or meditation, or into Satsang debating endlessly on the supernatural aspect or the Siddhis and powers they had. I stopped frequenting them. 

After my first Nadi reading in 2002, I was solely on my own for the next four years trying to decipher the songs that I sang before them. Though I had come to know Supramania Swami, my first guru, he was not into Siddha worship. He had 5 gurus including his father, Jayaram Pillai, Poondi Mahan, Kollimalai Swami, Sadhanantha Swami, and Yogi Ramsuratkumar. He showed me Guru Bakti or devotion to the Guru. In 2005, Agathiyar send Tavayogi to our shores to fulfill the longing I had. Tavayogi worshipped the Siddhas. He had gurus in the form of Chitramuthu Adigal and his guru Jeganatha Swami. He took me on a journey of discovery of the Siddhas, not from books but walking through the jungles and staying in caves that were naturally the abode of the Siddhas. Today I understand that the Siddhas who are very much a part of nature are in the Prapanjam. They take a form to meet us for the sole reason that we are not tuned to receive the vibrational energies that exist in these places. The Siddhas materialize easily in our time-space if and when there is a need or an SOS call goes out to them. The songs of praise to the Siddhas are the instrument to bring them over. The rituals bridge both worlds. The yantras, tantras, and mantras all do a similar thing. With sincere devotion to the ritual or act on hand, we can easily get them to manifest before us either with a form or as vibrational energy. I have written much about these energies prevalent in the pilgrimage spots that one can connect to in several of my earlier posts. 

If Agathiyar and Tavayogi brought us to carry out rituals and see them in the statues initially, the Siddhas soon came as energies to sit among us and witness these rituals. Having stayed faithfully on the path of the Siddhas, we realize that all the hocus pocus and mystery that surrounds the Siddhas are uncalled for. Today instead of giving momentary darshan or exciting us with visions of them, they connected us to the Prapanjam where we imbibe the bliss of their vibrations that encompasses all of creation. We have begun to see creation as vibration. Now I understand why Tavayogi replied to my wish to see Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal with another question "Is that what you want?"

In the documentary "Inner Worlds and Outer Worlds" (IW&OW) we are told, "The ancient Vedic teachers taught Nada Brahma, the universe is vibration. The vibratory field is at the root of all spiritual experiences and scientific investigations. It is the same field of energy that saints, buddhas,... yogis have observed by looking within themselves. It is called by various names... Primordial AUM or Om. It is the common root of all religions and the link between our inner worlds and the outer worlds." Tavayogi in speaking about the origin of all of creation from the one source, too mentions it as AUM or Om. What appears out there in the Andam is similarly seen to exist in the Pindam he adds. 

Agathiyar told us he was in us and all of creation as vibration or அதிர்வு. Tavayogi in giving us an idea of how creation took place in his book "Andamum Pindamum" and "Atma Thathuvam", quotes Supramaniar Gnanam 32, where it is revealed that in the beginning, a sound emerged in the Paraparam. This first vibrational state that created this sound was known as Akaaram. The second state that prolonged and sustained this first sound came to be called Ukaaram. Maakaaram was the final state that contained these vibratory sounds. The three came together as "that", which was to become the source of all creation, known as AUM. 

"ஆதியிலே பரா பரத்திற் பிறந்த சத்தம்" என்ற வரியின் மூலம் முதன் முதலிலே ஒலி தோன்றியது. ஒலி உண்டாவதற்கு உரிய முதல் அதிர்வு நிலையே அ காரம் எனப்படுவது. இரண்டாவது அதிர்வு நிலை நீடிப்புக்கு உ காரம் எனப் பெயரிட்டனர். மேற்கண்ட இரண்டு அதிர்வு நிலைகளையும் ஒரு எல்லைக் கோட்டிற்குள் காத்து நிற்கும் அதிர்வு நிலையை ம காரம் எனப் பெயரிட்டனர். 

ஆகவே அண்டத்தில் ஏற்பட்ட மூலமான அ, உ, ம என்ற மூன்றும் சேர்ந்து அண்டத்தை இயக்குகிறது. அதேபோல் பிண்டத்தில் ஏற்படுகின்ற அ, உ, ம அதிர்வு நிலையால் சரீரம் இயங்குகின்றது. 

அண்டங்கள், பிண்டங்கள், பேரண்டங்கள், பிரபஞ்சங்கள் அத்துனைக்கும் மூலகர்த்தாவாக இயங்குகின்ற அ, உ, ம சேர்வே ஓம் என்ற பிரணவம் ஆகும். ஓம் என்கின்ற பிரணவம் தான் ஆதி என்பதும், அந்த ஆதி வஸ்துவே உலகமெல்லாம் நிறைந்து நிர்கின்ற ஆதி சக்தி. அந்தச் சக்தியே எங்கும் செயல்படுகின்றது. முதலும் முடிவுமாக இருப்பது ஓங்காரம்தான். இந்த ஓங்காரத்திலே இருந்துதான் எழுவகை பிறப்பு உண்டாயிற்று. இந்தப் பிரபஞ்ச மூல ஆற்றலானது ஆதியிலே பிரிக்க முடியாத ஆதி அணூ பரமாணு ஆகும்.

As Tavayogi explained about the AUM, we are told in the documentary that "Akasha or space exists simultaneously with vibration. If Akasha is Ying, Prana is Yang." 

The principle factor that drives the universe, cosmos, and consciousness is A U, M that takes the form and sound of the pranavam. From https://www.ananda.org/yogapedia/aum/ we learn the same that "AUM is the vibration by which the Supreme Spirit brings all things into manifestation." Paramahansa Yogananda has explained that everything -  all matter, all energy, all thoughts -  exists in AUM. We read further that "AUM, therefore, encompasses the three vibratory energies required to create, preserve, and destroy, and each of these energies vibrates at a different frequency. The three letters of AUM represent these three vibrations inherent in creation."

The documentary quotes the German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe as having said, "The wave is the primordial phenomenon that gave rise to the world." We are shown how gliding a bow of a violin on a metal plate, reassembles the sand placed on it into a pattern, and how water forms ripples and patterns when mantras are chanted into it. 

From https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-3/Reflection,-Refraction,-and-Diffraction we learn further.

Like any wave, a sound wave doesn't just stop when it reaches the end of the medium or when it encounters an obstacle in its path. Rather, a sound wave will undergo certain behaviors when it encounters the end of the medium or an obstacle. Possible behaviors include reflection off the obstacle, diffraction around the obstacle, and transmission (accompanied by refraction) into the obstacle or new medium. 

So we realize that sounds create vibrations or rather move existing waves. From vibrations, a pattern and a form is created. If sound waves and the vibrations that result have the capacity to travel far and be heard, we can possibly comprehend the effects of our language and words used and the extent it travels. Maybe we ought to be careful what we say less it materializes and does harm. We become co-creators. We are an extension arm of the creator. 

In the opening sequence of the documentary, we read a quote from William Blake, "See a world in a grain of sand and see a heaven in a wild flower." We learn further from IW&OW that, "The smallest stream of light contains the pattern of the whole" like dew on a spider's web. "It is as if there has been an invisible dancer, a shadow dancer hidden in the belly of the universe. All the other dancers have always danced around this hidden dancer." 

Do we see a resemblance to the dance of Shiva?

We need only open our eyes to the beauty of creation all around us and its dance. We need only tune in with this dance to savor the calm, peace, and bliss that prevails within creation. Though creation seems chaotic and messy, there is a certain beauty, pattern, and design in it. 

If there is a call for a reset, this is how we should reset ourselves to bring awareness to all things present and appreciate the creativity that went into the making of this world of ours by the divine hand.

WALKING TALL

There is a reason why things happen. I only came to know that everything we face is a result of our past karma after reading the Nadi. Prior to this revelation, I became angry with God for what I saw as torturing his own children. I witnessed devotees going through sufferings and misery and sudden death too. I was asking if God is all-compassionate why did he sit and watch without intervening? Although I was spared from suffering I could not stand to see those close to me battle it out. I took it out on him during my puja both at dawn and dusk. Finally, Lord Shiva came in a dream and asked me to put aside all my questions for the time being. He had me transferred back to my HQ where I slowly could let go of all the frustrations I had in wanting to know the answers. I chose to drop all forms of worship and reading. Time went by. After 14 years he knocks on my door. It was a Saturday in 2001. My nephew brings me news and a mantra. I was asked not to question the source. I was given a painting of Lord Dhakshanamurthi to worship. The reason I was told was to prepare to meet my guru. The following year a colleague brings up the topic of the Nadi and his experience in seeing it. I became excited and asked to see it too. He made the arrangements. Agathiyar came in the Nadi calling me back to worship of the deities. He asked that I worship the Siddhas too. As this was new to me he started initiating me having me perform Nadikku dhanam or a simple thanksgiving puja to the Nadi and their authors or rather the caretakers for documenting, retrieving, and revealing my life story. I followed the puja at home too. 

The story that was written by me in the past was rewritten by Agathiyar the moment I came to follow his dictates. After I fulfilled all the remedies or parikaram my fate that was written was wiped and a new destiny was rewritten. The Nadi that was supposedly written back in the past became irrelevant. Instead, it was written in real-time as the Aasi Nadi when I was called to it three years after the first Kaanda Nadi reading. The script that I as a playwriter wrote was overwritten by the divine hand and the play took a different turn. Of course, it was for the better. 

Our lives take hold just as roots branch out into the soil. Just as the roots seek water and nutrients, seeking the source of continued sustenance in our lives we sought the way back to the source. But each time we stand at a crossroad with no road signs we look up towards the skies for a sign. These are the only moments we look up to God for guidance in a world where the "I" dictates our lives.

Srinath Raghavan shared the numerous stages of a teacher/disciple on Fb.

1. The Teacher who gives you information is called - Adhyapak

2. The One who imparts Knowledge combined with Information is called - Upadhayaya

3. The One who imparts skill is - Acharya

4. The One who is able to give deep insight into a Subject is called - Pandit

5. The One who has a Visionary view on a subject and teaches you to think in that manner is called - Dhrishta 

6. The One who is able to awaken wisdom in you,  leading you from Darkness to Light is a Guru. 

He makes an observation from the above.

In my opinion, a Student's progression from being under the  tutelage of an Adhyapaka to the luminous proximity of the Guru is many lifetimes of singular journey. 

If the temples produce devotees or bhaktas, present-day gurus produce followers. The Siddha produces another Siddha. Time and again Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal tell us that our gurus in the Siddha lineage are trying their best to raise the understanding and stature of the aspirants and devotees to followers and sadhakas and eventually to become like them, another Siddha. Like the above list, the aspirant is given information. Gaining this information he turns a devotee. Knowledge and the skills given turn him into a sadhaka. He becomes well versed in the subject gaining deep insights. He then has a visionary view and a purpose in life. Finally, his wisdom is awakened and he too becomes a Gnani following the footsteps of his predecessors. 

Sri wrote further,

In the same way, on the other hand, it's an equal arduous journey from being a Teacher of Information to an Awakener of Souls.

The Siddhas too must have journeyed through the rank and file given above slowly evolving into the status of a Siddha Guru. 

The Atma that dictates and cares for the child as does an eagle protect its chick, goes behind the veil once the "I" in us raises its hood. It is time the individual lived out his karma. The Atma becomes a silent watcher or Manasatchi. It is of utmost importance to let go of the "I" so that the Atma can reveal itself. The Atma then helps us reach out to the Paramatma. When the Atma comes to the forefront and takes charge, sitting on the throne that it once occupied and reigned, the divine steps in. When the divine steps in all karma drop. Just as there cannot be two captains to a ship, it is either the "I" or the Atma. They both cannot travel together. As it shall be disastrous the Atma that truly cares for us chooses to veil itself leaving the "I" to manage.

It is tough to drop the "I". The guru can help us drop the "I". The blows I received from Tavayogi had me drop mine. Agathiyar came in the very next moment. He is now the charioteer too. I am just a passenger. This is surrender. When we can surrender our lives to the driver, pilot, and captain of vehicles, we hesitate to surrender this vehicle to the divine or guru. We understand now why Lord Muruga made surrender a prerequisite to receiving initiation from him. When he asked all those gathered to come before him he asked each if he or she had surrendered. 

Looking around we are saddened that these days people tend to "collect" initiations from any teacher, master, or guru who comes by just like collecting trophies to show. Only when a bond is cemented shall a true master initiate the student into the mysteries of the path. Tavayogi used to say that one has to wait some 12 years to receive an initiation into the path. The aspirant turned seeker and devotee and later a sadhaka will be fully tested before it is given. Once the guru sees that the sadhaka has qualified only then is he taken in as his disciple. Tavayogi never claimed that I was his disciple though I claimed that he was my guru. It was only after 11 years that he openly mentioned to the small group of Agathiyar's followers in Malaysia that I was a student of his. All those years although he stood by me he never intervened or influenced me. Like the aspirant listed above, I came to Tavayogi. I was given information about the Siddhas. Gaining this information I turned a devotee of Agathiyar. The knowledge of rituals like conducting the homam and the skills and practice of Yoga made me a sadhaka or practitioner. Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal asked me to gain deep insights and become well versed with the subjects like the 96 tattvas and the Atma asking me to read Tavayogi's books. Agathiyar gave me a visionary view of things to come. The final step would be to gain wisdom and become an awakened one or a Gnani following the footsteps of our predecessors. That needs his grace and blessings and his touch. But even if it doesn't happen traveling this far itself was a god-sent opportunity. 

Nadi Nool Aasan Thamaraiselvan Ramaiya wrote in his WhatsApp group,

குரு மலை கழுகை ஒத்த குணமாக இருக்கவேண்டும். எல்லா வித்தைகளையும் கற்கும்வரை பாதுகாத்து கற்றதுபின் உலகஞானத்திர்க்காக தன்சீடனை குருநிலையை எட்ட தனித்து நிற்க செய்யவேண்டும். 

Just like an eagle protects its chick only to let it fly when ready, soaring in the skies akin to him, the guru should be like an eagle protecting his student while under his tutelage only to let him go so that he too can take on the role of a guru for the good of other seekers.

கடைசிவரை ஒருவனை சீடனாகவே வைத்திருப்பது குருவிர்க்கு தோல்வி.

தெள்ளற வித்தைகற்றான் சீடனும் குருவை தேடான்......மூதுரை. 

A guru should make another guru out of his disciple. It is seen as a failure on the part of the guru if he keeps his disciples remaining a disciple till the end. 

Guru Namasivayamurthi was serving his guru Guhai Namashivayar in Tiruvannamalai when Guru Namasivayamurthi had strangely begun to brush his attire with his hands as if dozing a flame. Guhai Namashivayar asked him what was he doing? The disciple answered that a rat had run away with a burning wick from a lamp that in turn had ignited a fire, burning a curtain. He had smothered the fire, dozing it off. The guru was happy to see his disciple gain Siddhis. But as gaining Siddhis was not an indication of one having attained Gnana, Guhai Namasivayar tested the devotion of Guru Namasivayamurthi by asking him to dispose of his vomit in a secluded place where no one would step or trample on it. The student drank his guru's vomit instead. My guru Supramania Swami in having mentioned this incident to me, made me understand the inseparable bond between a disciple and his guru. 

David Godman writes in his blog at http://davidgodman.org/asaints/gurunam1.shtml, 

Seeing the powers his disciple was developing, and noting the extent of his devotion, Guhai Namasivaya thought to himself, "Day by day my disciple's knowledge is increasing. He should not be kept here any more. Let me test him one more time, and then I can send him to a place that will be appropriate for him."

Giving him the first two verses of a poem or venba, Guhai Namasivayar asked his disciple to complete it.

Guhai Namasivaya was delighted with the way that his disciple handled the test. Guhai Namasivaya, feeling that delay would serve no useful purpose, responded to the song by saying, 'You can start right now'.

It is said that Guhai Namasivayar sent away his disciple Guru Namasivayamurthi to Chidambaram once he exhibited the ability to see the curtain at Chidambaram Temple burn in a vision in realtime. Guru Namashivayar, wanting to stay forever with his master, protested aloud. But Guhai Namashivayar insisted that he go. Failing to convince his master, the junior Namashivayar finally gave in but not without stipulating a condition. He told his master that on his arrival at Chidambaram his master should be there to meet him; otherwise, he would return. And so the student took leave of his master rather reluctantly. On arrival at the abode of Lord Shiva at Chidambaram and heading straight for the inner sanctum, Guru Namashivayar had the darshan of his master and guru Guhai Namashivayar! The disciple never returned to Thiruvannamalai henceforth. Guhai Namasivayar sent him away to Chidambaram where he could dissipate his Gnana to others. 

This is the true guru. A true guru would never want his followers to remain a follower forever. His achievement is in seeing his students rise to the level of a guru at par or even better than them. They rejoice in seeing their students rise up the ladder of spiritual advancement. They rejoice in seeing their students beat Maya at its game and come out a victor. Agathiyar tells us to walk tall so that he too could walk tall with pride at having produced a Siddha of equal caliber. 

Tavayogi worked on Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar and today she heads his ashram in Kallar. This petite and humble being was there as Mrs. Sarojini when I set my foot at Kallar Ashram in 2005. Tavayogi called her over to help with the feast that I wanted to give to the tribal native people who were staying in the huts that they had pitched around the ashram. She accompanied us on a buying spree where we bought clothing for these children. The few days I stayed at the ashram Tavayogi and I would head for the river passing by after our morning walk for a dip, our bath and to wash our clothing. The day I was to leave the ashram as it was still dark at that hour, Mrs. Sarojini was seen groping in the dark preparing hot water for our bath. The next time I met her in Malaysia she had already taken on turavaram or adorned the saffron robe and took on the name Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar. She was there to receive us when my family and I traveled to Kallar in 2013. She accompanied us and took good care of us. Both Tavayogi and Mataji came for my daughter's wedding in 2016. The following year when Tavayogi passed on he handed the running of the ashram to her. I always told Tavayogi that she was capable of carrying on the tradition. Indeed she stood alone in trying times to see through that Tavayogi received the best medical care. But when we lost Tavayogi she stood strong battling the weather and to see through his work. She had completed Tavayogi's samadhi structure and conducted the agamas relating to it stretching some 48 days. When I suggested that she shorten the two-day festival in conjunction with the annual Agathiyar's Jayanthi and Guru Puja she hesitated, telling me that she would not want to change the precedence set by our guru. She shall carry on this tradition again on 23rd December 2021. Mataji is in the midst of seeing through her attempt at writing Tavayogi's biography. It is scheduled to be released during the Guru Puja. Those who want a copy can call her up at +91 98425 50987. 

Tavayogi and Mataji at AVM in 2010

Tavayogi and Mataji with us in 2008

Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar

If man had thought that he was the dominating species and was in control, the pandemic has brought him to his knees and made him plea for mercy. The new strain of the virus is worrying us making us wonder if the borders would be closed again. In the midst of the pandemic that seems to have no end, disrupting our travel plans, stalling them, or creating anxiety and uncertainty, Agathiyar had invited me to visit Kallar ashram. Mataji too extended an invitation as India had opened its borders to foreigners. Friends in India too have extended invitations. If only Agathiyar would wave his magic wand or rather his Vaasikol and clear the air so that we could travel without fear? 

AVM AGATHIYAR MEETS THE EYE

As I was browsing the book rack in a store that sold prayer items, clothing, and other miscellaneous goods in my neighborhood town, looking for some more books to coach Tamil to my granddaughters I came across a book that carried the picture of Agathiyar. 

I was surprised again to see AVM Agathiyar on yet another cover of a book sold there.

AVM Agathiyar has graced the covers of books, billboards, name cards, invitations, blogs, websites, and our own Cd album Agathiyar Geetham. I had compiled some of these pictures and posted them earlier.

Agathiyar is at the Eco City temple too.

A devotee "discovered" Agathiyar in another temple in Tapah and forwarded photos that he took of Agathiyar.

Although it gives us delight in seeing Agathiyar all around us there is more to this than meets the eye. In worshiping God and the Siddhas in a form please keep in mind that we have to transcend these too. The forms and names are required to make us understand the concept of the all-pervading god initially. Once we get connected to them through mantras, yantras, and the murthi we need to drop seeing them externally and take notice and become aware of these energies internally. The breath is a good place to start just as when we learn the alphabet we start with a, b, c, and in learning music we begin with do, re, mi. Taking notice and bringing our awareness to the breath we strengthen this with awareness of this body in performing asanas. If performing rituals like homam had cleared the air around us these yogic practices clear the "house" of obstacles and blockages as in the household plumbings. Taking purgatives like Agathiyar Kuzhambu cleans the "house" as in doing spring cleaning. We are now ready to go within. In sitting alone in solitude all our desires, wants, and thoughts that move us to act come to a standstill. With the fire of meditation, the last remaining desires are burnt too. No fresh karma is earned or added on. The divine then comes within. We become him and he becomes us. The individual's role in the divine's play comes to a close. Staging the play the divine comes just before the finale and plays the role taking over from us. All efforts too come to a standstill when the divine comes within. It is time to partake in the ambrosia. It is the time of reward. 

MOUNA GURU

Man attempts to approach spiritualism as if as in attending classes, seminars, and talks. Religion can be taught. But spiritualism has to be experienced. Religion has dogmas, rules, do's and dont's to follow, etc. In spiritualism, we break free from all these limitations. Tavayogi once said that the spirit should be free to explore. We see this in a child. It knows no limitations. Neither does it know fear of the unknown. 

It amuses me to see people pay to know spiritualism. In their desperation to reach out to god they are willing to believe and do everything. Just as a large crowd at a restaurant would mean to most that the food served was good, most of the time they act as herds of sheep scouting for places that are crowd pullers. 

Spiritualism can only be known by self-inquiry. For a start, one might need guides in the form of books, talks, and a guru. But eventually, like a child who has learned to walk he should leave his hold on to these. Sadly we hold on to others to bring us to know god. God is not shown but realized within and without. Methods, doctrines help to a certain extent. Practice and discipline are crucial to seeing results. Then again if past karma stands in our way we do not see the results of such efforts. Here the guru and the rituals help remove them.

Tavayogi broke the camel's back. He tamed the wild horse. That was what Tavayogi did to me. He did not say things to please me. He hit me several times bringing me to a state of awareness, though I did not realize it at that time. The moment he stepped on our soil, he observed around and commented that people were hung to bakthi or devotion and temple worship. He asked us to come to Gnana. He saw people turn up to him and pour their troubles. He told me this was not sufferings but mere problems that could be solved with one's Arivu. When I fell at his feet before bidding farewell after our first meeting, he chided me for doing that. He told me only to fall at Agathiyar's feet. Again when I was driving him with my nephew behind the wheels, back to his place of stay while in Malaysia, after his brief visit to my home, he shot me down telling me I was living in Maya and believing that saffron-clad "Asamys" or godmen had a magic portion within their clothing. He told me in the face he had nothing to give me, but to look up to Agathiyar instead. Now we see the reason he did not have a following and the numbers. He made me shed my hold on gems and amulets that I wore telling me it was not necessary. He made me stand stark naked before him before he began to impart and fill me without my knowledge over the years I knew him. I was already emptied of my reading and knowledge prior to meeting him as I was living in a state of abstinence from all forms of worship and learning for 14 years. Tavayogi did not have me sit with him and preach the Siddha path to me. I had to pick it up from the video footage of the talks he gave during the festivals he held at his ashram and when he visited Malaysia several times. When I was with him, we used to sit in silence. I did not ask him questions as others did. He would occasionally say a thing or two as he passed by. I had to figure it out myself. I only came to understand them many years later after having similar experiences. He taught through silence and by giving us direct experiences. He took me to the abodes of the Siddhas to experience the presence of the Siddhas, to be in their midst, and to observe miracles. He was indeed Lord Dhakshanamurthi in form, speech, and action. Now I understand why the painting of the Lord came to me and I was asked to worship him in 2001. Now I understand what transcended at the many sannadhis of the Lord.

In the movie "Saguni" the lead character asks the guru what his problem was contrary to the gurus asking devotees. The reason being no one was listening to his talks. They propose and sell him a plan, repackaging and marketing his wares. They ask him to remain silent henceforth. Now the same devotees are surprised at their guru's silence and begin to yearn to hear him speak. The guru got their attention. Similarly, it is said that Lord Dhakshanamurthi would answer all the questions put forth by the four disciples of his. This went on for years and there seemed no end to questions. Finally, the Lord chose to remain quiet. Seeing their guru sitting still the devotees simply fell into a state of meditation. The Mouna guru teaches in silence. Bhagawan Ramana is said to do this too.

In an article on the net, we read,

As an individual begins to be liberated from the influence of the mind-stuff, the divine attributes of the atman or self manifest in the very subtle sheath of bliss (anandamaya kosham) that surrounds the soul (atman.). When the transformation of that very subtle part of the being has been given fully to the divine, the individual becomes literally a beacon of bliss-light. Simply being in the presence of such a being is uplifting. Such an elevated individual is often acknowledged as a saint.

Just as a lighted candle lights another, a true guru lights up the wick in devotees by merely being in their presence. 

We have covered much ground traveling the path of the Siddhas. 

• After the calling to read the Nadi (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvUzM8981rWAPKG7T9SLyqqPt28ffZvd_)
• taking up the call to come to the path of the Siddhas or Siddha Margam, 
• taking up the worship of the Siddhas (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dp5hxfCGULlttFkbZo0j-5Et03tqqAw5/view?usp=sharing)
• going in search of the path (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EzzCZFKoicCmpC2iUnRFpFcD38OzhJO9/view?usp=sharing)
• coming to the path with the coming of Tavayogi (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O4rnaRcMKPbPfLdMxjssuoMQan-gD6fj/view?usp=sharing)
• traveling the path with the Siddhas (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SIK2Lz2NIZ6Augc4QqpL9gHH70lWdMOp/view?usp=sharing)

we stand at what seems to be the end of the journey as for now. 

The state of Puranam of completeness has to engulf and envelope us in totality. That is the state of the divine too. That is experiencing divinity in all of creation and in all things. He who reaches this state indeed is a Mouna guru.

L I F E SIMPLIFIED

As and when the need arises we or rather the Atma takes on a sheath and adorn clothes "suitable for the climate that shall prevail". This is taking a form and birth. The sheath is the Body or Udal a product of past karma. We plug it in into the life-giving machine that is the air around us. The machine sustains us. The countdown starts. We are allocated the number of breaths that determines our lifespan henceforth. This is life on earth. 

The life that we know starts when the breath or Uyir comes within. But we are not yet aware of life then. The Uyir comes within a body that is given, courtesy of our past karma from our past few births. This too we are not aware then. The matter that makes our body or what is called an embryo then or pindam is taken from both parents. We are a part of our parents who were a part of theirs and it goes on. So we are physically connected with our ancestors. 

The guru comes to enlighten us. He has the key that opens the door to the treasures within. He brings on arivu or knowledge that is only made available to humans. The guru and disciple become connected through mind matter. We become connected to people of like mind too. A Sangam evolves.

The guru gives us experiences that bring on bliss within. This bliss is a vibration that is felt within and without. We become connected with the energy that prevails in all things. He prepares us to become vessels that eventually connect with the world around us and beyond. If food gives us energy, coming to practice yoga gives us a renewed form of energy through the breath. This expands to the verge that you fear your body might explode. But the feeling is blissful. 

So we are all connected. There is a vast network connecting celestial bodies, our physical bodies, our minds, with the vast expanse of energies out there. If the senses bring delight to us, going beyond the physical senses, when we sense the vibration and energies, it brings on a state of bliss. The former is Chitrinbam. The latter is Perinbam.  

With constant practice on the path shown by the guru, we connect with the Prapanjam. The Paramatma that came within to be known as Jeevatma brings us to realize that we are one. The journey of discovery ends with this realization and awareness.

Having taken a rare human birth, how we conduct ourselves in this life will determine the rest of the journey. Blessed are those who come to care for their Udal, Uyir, and Atma early in life. Many of us including me only come to realize this need after being partially damaged and late in life. But fear not. The damage is reversible. Those who sought the Holy feet of God are sent missionaries who help them reverse this damage. Thence they take charge of their body and their lives. A new purpose is shown. The renewed and recharged Udal and Uyir is now capable of doing God's work. Besides seeing to his work we take moments to wind down and lose ourselves. When we lose our hold on matter we simply exist. It is a state of being. It is a state of being present. It is a state of sheer existence. That is our true state. Hence the saints are known to perform miracles without moving a limb or leaving their post. Their mind-thoughts move the Prapanjam.  

OMG

Srinath Raghavan posted the following on Fb.

The topography of the place you live in, I realise, subtly influences your moods, determining if you are going to be happy or sad. In my travels around the sacred places/sited that Bharathavarsha has, two things stood out very clearly - one is the intrinsic topography, including the soil quality, ground levels etc. and the next, the kind of people who inhabited the place in the past.

Some of the sites I got to visit in the recent past, "exploded" with spiritual energy, even after the ones who inhabited it, were long dead and gone. Their power of tapas had infused every rock and stone reverberating with silent spiritual vibrations. It's just that your awareness or consciousness also has to be in tune with that range to experience what they have to offer freely.

What makes a vacation and a pilgrimage different is the kind of energy you are already vibrating to, that makes it either a pleasant experience or an inner experiment in awakening.

This truth comes from one who has realized the truth. It is for this purpose that we are asked to or moved to undertake pilgrimages. But sadly it has turned out to be like any other vacation. The conversation that rings in our minds is carried out with others the moment we board the bus and continue into the sacred spaces that we step in. People fail to respect the sanctity of these sacred abodes. It is time we began to observe ourselves and conduct ourselves appropriately. We need to be always aware of ourselves and not carried away by the drive to speak. At times others tend to start the conversation first in the wrong places. It is our duty to correct them and shut them up. Then there are others who look for rituals to perform in these sacred places. Only this shall satisfy them and bring completeness to their tour of the place they believe.

Agathiyar says that no rituals are needed in such places. All he asks us to do is to sit quietly and tap the existing energy that reverberates in these places. By shutting down our senses, we become a receptacle to receive these energies. It might not happen the first time around or at the first place we visit but we shall come to realize it as we pursue. 

Our minds are filled with thoughts 24/7. To save us from going cuckoo we sleep it off. But then many sleep on it carrying the thoughts with them into their sleep. A classic example of how thoughts influence us is seen in the movie "Oh My Kadavule". I just finished watching it. I loved the movie. If God gives you a chance to relive your life what would you want to be or do with it? Would you opt for this life or choose another? If we follow our thoughts making calculated moves are we assured of success in all our ventures? At times we might have thought if life would have been better if we had made a different choice or decided otherwise. God creates that space for the lead character to revise and relive his life. I too had so many options in life. If I had opted for something else my whole life would have been different. I would have met different people. I would have lived in a different place. I would have had entirely different experiences. The "I" could have made me make decisions that could have ruined my life. Not that I did not make wrong decisions in this life. But I was saved in all these moments. I was spared disgrace and humility. I was spared my life. Who was behind me or rather stood in front of me shielding me if it was not Agathiyar and the lineage of gurus? If Supramania Swami was my left eye Tavayogi was my right. Agathiyar was the third eye. They gave me sight and vision. When they rule the thoughts all shall be well. Ramalinga Adigal sings in his Arutprakasa Maalai that Lord Nadarajar walked the distance till his foot was sore and placed something in his palms. I cannot recall but I came to know that it was Agathiyar who came to his humble home and gave him two sweets or laddu. This sweet denoted Gnanam. I too was given two gurus who in turn gave me all their prized possessions. What more could one ask for?

REMEMBERING TAVAYOGI

Not everyone is cut for a particular job. Then among them, their approach would differ. Similarly, not everyone is a leader. Most just like to follow. The Siddhas were pioneers in many fields. The Siddhas of the past very often were radical in their approach. They took up challenges. They explored. They were explorers. They explored the marvels of creation both within and without. They studied every aspect of creation. They achieved. They departed their experiences and wisdom to others. They documented them for generations to come. They went to the extent of even recording the past, present, and future of select individuals besides the future of the world at large. Today they are still around working on those willing to take up the challenge. They have joined the ranks of the gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon and are worshiped by these select groups. 

Although they left behind a tradition and a way of living these days they are seen as a cult where society kept them away from the mainstream paths of devotion. Now the path is only made available for those who dare to venture out of the mainstream devotion. I was called to the worship of the Siddhas in the Nadi. I took it up. Though the worship of the Siddhas and their path might seem alien to many out there, as it was to me too in the beginning, those who travel the path shall realize that it is very much aligned to and accommodates the core faiths and beliefs of others. The Siddhas only shun certain practices only after having traversed them and not before. I was asked to install a statue of Agathiyar and worship him. Today after perfecting the ritual, and having gained immense benefits from it Agathiyar tells us to drop the rituals. He got us to do charity and today he has asked us to drop that too. He got us off to a wonderful start in practicing Yoga and today has us do a select few poses of asanas. If we were forcefully trying to control the breath back then now he asks us to drop that and simply observe it. All efforts have come to a stop. The results of our past efforts like the river current or the wind shall propel us forward henceforth. I realized that the Siddhas make us learn a thing and later drop it. It goes the same for the desires too. The vasanas are brought to the forefront either to be exhausted or have us drop them. While Supramania Swami's dream of building a temple was shattered by them, they drove Tavayogi to build one. I was asked to build a temple too but the idea has since then been dropped. 

As one progresses along the path and gains the experiences he can safely move on dropping his previous hold on rituals and practices. Eventually, he is told to sit still and do nothing. In carrying out all the activities that he desired, that was driven by his "I" he earns karma both good and bad according to the nature of the activities. To balance the sheet, one is sent to do remedies. Many do not realize that their lives are shaped by karma. Very few are privileged to know their past karma. Among those who come to know, most settle to carry out the remedies and move on with life gathering the latest editions of it. To the few who carry them out and decide to explore karma further, they are brought to the worship of the Siddhas. They are given tasks that would cleanse and wipe the karma the moment it appears. As we take each step, an invisible broom sweeps away any trace of our karma. As we walk on the sands of the beach the tide comes in to wipe any trace of it. If before coming to the path the Siddhas highlight one's karma, after taking hold of them, this subject too is dropped. The Siddhas settle the debts for those aspirants who hold on to their feet. They have us drop even the thoughts the moment it arises hence stopping the advent of action and all its outcomes.

The Siddhas are very much humane. They have feelings too. They are compassionate. They are concerned. They work to bring us out of delusion. Their only concern is to lead us back to the kingdom of God. 

Take any book written about the Siddhas, it tries to convey their history and story. Most often it is a repetition of what we have read before. Although it is difficult to separate the myth from the history of the Siddhas, P.Karthigayan in his book the "History of Medical and Spiritual Sciences of Siddhas of Tamil Nadu", Notion Press, 2016, defines the former as "unconventional information about age-old history which survived as folklores and mystified as mythology" while the latter were accounts "substantiated by relics and records of archeological discoveries." 

When Suren sat before a Nadi reader enquiring the origin of Agathiyar, Agathiyar was hesitant in revealing it. But since we at AVM had mooted Suren to ask the question Agathiyar obliged but was very brief in telling us his story. He did not divulge much. To the Siddhas, these are not important. At times they ask us what use is knowledge of their past. They are more concerned about dispersing the truth through their messages. The truth though it has been modified over the ages or buried survives time. They help us sieve through it or retrieve the truth respectively. Similarly, Tavayogi never spoke about his past except about a couple of moments in his life. These were rare moments when he opened up about himself. I only knew him after his arrival in Malaysia to officiate a Peedham in 2005. I only had very brief information about the years before we met. So I mooted the idea to Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar that she should write about our guru for she knew him from their days of Pattimandram where Tavayogi would chair the debate and Mataji would take the stand with several others. In her times of trouble, Tavayogi brought Mataji to his guru Chitramuthu Adigal and she too became a disciple of him. Just before Tavayogi went into samadhi he appointed Mataji to take charge of the ashram. He made his last call to me to inform me that in the event he does not return to his ashram, as he was hospitalized then, that Mataji would take charge henceforth. So I told her she was the right candidate to write his biography. When I was wondering if she had begun to write, as there was no word about it, she calls me several days ago to inform me that the book should be ready for release during the upcoming annual Guru Puja for Agathiyar that is scheduled to take place on 23rd December 2021. I was filled with joy that finally I shall get to read his life story, his story, his history. Please place your orders if you want a copy with Mataji at +91 98425 50987. As the book is in Tamil, once it's out I shall try to translate portions of the book and post them in this blog. I think that is the least I could do for my guru too.

While awaiting the official account of his life story, let me share whatever little I know about Tavayogi as an introduction to the man. T.K Thangarajan as he was known was a successful businessperson managing his cotton industry in Tiruppur in Coimbatore. He indulged in politics and movies too. Tavayogi before becoming a mendicant or turavi, used to be a well-known orator often chairing the many talk shows or pattimandrams that were popular with the public. After he became a disciple of Chitramuthu Adigal he came to be known as Thaaiveedu Thangarasan. The talent he had as a proficient and convincing speaker was put to use and maximized in later years as he took the stage again but this time to preach and popularize the path of the Siddhas or Siddhar Margam.

Tavayogi had seen the worst of times when his business collapsed as a result of policies and politics in India at that period of time. He had to hit the streets with his family. He became blind overnight and was on the verge of committing suicide when he formed a determined resolve to believe in Agathiyar and let Agathiyar rule his life as he (Agathiyar) pleases. He regained his sight. His life picked up and he regained his lost treasures too only to leave them all behind voluntarily later as he adorned the saffron robe and became a mendicant. He handed over the responsibility of managing the company to his son and family and walked out of all the luxuries he had been accumulating until then.

His travels took him throughout India bringing him to Rishikesh, the hills of Uthiyore, Kolli, Sathuragiri, and Pothigai amongst many other sites of Siddhas. Tavayogi sought out a place known as Agathiyar Vanam on the instruction of Agathiyar and finally located it on the 9th km of the Ooty-Mettupalayam trunk route at Kallar. He pitched a hut that started out as his first ashram. He named it after his guru, the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham Thirukovil.

In 2004, Tavayogi accompanied an Indian citizen working in Malaysia, to Malaysia only to be left stranded alone on the streets of Kuala Lumpur. He contacted the only reference he had in Malaysia, Soundarajan. Soundarajan took him in. Tavayogi found his way to Lord Perumal’s temple in Puchong where he gave his first talk in Malaysia, preaching the Siddha Margam as instructed by Agathiyar.

After meeting Appana Nagappan in Kallar, Tavayogi traveled again to Malaysia in 2005 at the invitation of Appana to officiate the opening of his movement the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham at Wisma Keringat in Batu Caves. Tavayogi who had come to officiate the local chapter of his Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham in 2005, moved on to address the public in numerous venues; initiating numerous Peedhams; coming again in 2007 as the patron and officiating the First World Conference of Siddha Philosophy in Kuala Lumpur. Through him, many devotees came to the path of the Siddhas. I was one of them. I shall recap my journey with Tavayogi from the year 2005 when I met him in Malaysia till 2016 when we were at his new ashram for its inauguration.

I met Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal for the first time at the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham at Wisma Keringat in Batu Caves. Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal’s name was mentioned to me four years prior to meeting him. Nadi Guru Senthilkumar handed me a leaflet in 2002 from Thaiveedu Thangarasan. He was sourcing funds towards the building of a temple for Agathiyar in Kallar, Tamilnadu. I had kept that leaflet with me. When the Tamil language newspapers carried news about the opening of the Agathiyar Nyana Peedham in Malaysia by Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal in 2005, I searched for the leaflet that I had stashed away. I took it with me to see Tavayogi. He confirmed the leaflet was his. Tavayogi accepted me as his disciple amongst many others. Thus began a beautiful relationship between a guru and a disciple.

Subsequently, Tavayogi invited me over to his ashram at Kallar. 

I was shown the life he lived. I was taken on morning walks. We bathe in the nearby stream that had its source in the mineral and herb-rich mountains of Ooty. I was shown how to conduct prayers to the Siddhas. I was given an opportunity to do charity and feed the poor. Tavayogi did not have me sit in front of him and preach to me; rather I observed and learned from him. I was given an opportunity to watch how he lived. I saw the humbleness in him; the kindness in him; and the simplicity with which he lived. He used to sit and entertain all those who came to him. To those who came with problems he did not duel into the problems trying to find ways and suggests means to overcome it but instead asked that they pray to the Siddhas to help clear these problems. He avoided taking on the karma of people.

I was blessed to be taken on a pilgrimage by Tavayogi to Siddha samadhis, caves, and temples which included Agathiyar’s sannadhi at the Agneepureeswarar temple in Agasthiyampalli, Karuvurar’s sannadhi at the Breehadeshwarar temple in Tanjore, Punakeeswarar’s samadhi at Chennimalai, Sivavakiyar’s samadhi inside Lord Murugan's temple at Sivanmalai, Konganar’s cave in the hills of Uthiyore in Kanganam,  Agathiyar’s cave in the hills of Courtalam, and Ramalinga Adigal’s cave and Dhakshanamurthi’s cave also in the hills of Courtalam. He took me to Agathiyar’s sannadhi at Kutraleshwarar temple in Courtalam, Agathiyar’s temple at the Agathiyar’s Fall in the Pothigai hills, and Bhogar’s samadhi at Palani too. 

Tavayogi was not one who easily parted with the intricate workings of the spiritual world. He preached the basics of the Siddha path to the masses. He once told me I had to wait 12 years before he would part with this knowledge. His ever-faithful aid and disciple Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyaar too was waiting patiently for the day when he would reveal this knowledge. Just before his demise in 2017, he parted all his knowledge and wisdom to Mataji including reading the Jeeva Nadi in their possession.

I was given another initiation before I bid farewell. Back home in Malaysia, I accompanied Tavayogi to his Paramaguru Jeganatha Swamigal’s samadhi in Tapah in 2007. When Tavayogi visited Malaysia again in 2008 he taught us Yoga Asanas, which Agathiyar tells me in the Nadi, is to be treasured, cherished, and put into practice. He showed me how to perform rituals like Abhisegam (ablution of the idol) and lighting the sacrificial light or fire (Homam).

When Shiva Sri Muthu Kumara Sivachariar who was in the midst of building a Sakti temple at Bukit Rotan in Malaysia invited Tavayogi over to the temple grounds to identify if there was a samadhi or at least the presence of Siddhas at the location of the temple he was building I drove Tavayogi there. Before we left, Tavayogi wanted a branch from the Neem or Veppam tree that had to be in the shape of Y. He snapped the branch from the tree that I had planted at my home. I wondered why. On arrival at the temple grounds, Tavayogi surprised me by using the branch to locate energy spots. Although he held the branch firmly in both his hands, he was being dragged from one spot to another until the inner sanctum, which was still under construction, where the branch snapped into two. He told the Sivachariar the signs were there and that there was a samadhi at the exact spot where the Sivachariar had chosen to place the inner sanctum of Goddess Ma. Again, at the requests of Sivachariar, Tavayogi led us to a spot where a shrine will be built for Agathiyar. How did he identify this spot this time? Tavayogi placed lime paste that is eaten with betel leaf on the palm of Sivachariar and led him from one spot to another. Finally when at a particular spot outside the temple complex, the lime paste that was white turned red in color. Tavayogi told Sivachariar to put up the temple for Agathiyar at this spot. 

Moving forward to 12 October 2013, as my family and I, Jnana Jyothiamma, Dr. Ram, and Deva, gathered around Tavayogi and Mataji, at Kallar Ashram, Tavayogi started narrating the many miracles that had taken place at Kallar since. We sat listening to him in awe, at the way the 1 1/2 feet tall mystical Rudraksham weighing 7 kg was delivered and the unbelievable visitations of Lobhamudra, Lord Murugan, and Konganar to Kallar. Upon my requests, Tavayogi went on to narrate again, on video, how he came to the Siddha path. This was the very first account of his life on video that was narrated in full by him, as all these while we used to get pieces of his life story. Jnana Jyothiamma and Dr. Ram left shortly while we stayed over. As morning dawned, Tavayogi adorned his cap and stocking and took us along on his usual morning walk. It made me recall the days I spent with him in 2005. We came down the ashram, walked along the railway line, cut across the small township and reached the Ooty-Methupalaiyam trunk road, and headed for Thuripaalam, a bridge built during British times. Then we got off the main road into the plantations. It was an educational tour for my family and me and Mataji's granddaughter who tagged along. Upon returning from the walk we freshened up and started for Ooty. Tavayogi and Mataji hitched a ride with us, while other devotees came in the ashram vehicle. We picked up Dr. Nanjan, a veterinarian, and his friend at Coonoor, and headed for the Sri Sargurunathar's Sevashram. While Tavayogi and his team adjoined to meet other devotees in Ooty to deliver the invitations for the upcoming Guru Puja celebrations, Mataji, Dr. Nanjan and his friend accompanied us to some tourist spots in Ooty starting with Doddabetta Peak. After Dr. Nanjan and his friend excused themselves, we headed for the Boat House situated on Ooty Lake to catch a boat ride. 

14 October 2013

My wife had mentioned her desire earlier to me to conduct prayers with Tavayogi at his ashram. Tavayogi consented. He started the prayers with a couple of hymns. He gave way to my family and me to continue. It was a privilege to sing at Kallar Ashram before Agathiyar. After breakfast, we got ready to hike up the hills behind Tavayogi's ashram. Prabhakaran, Silambarasan, and Kartik led the way. At 12.15 noon we made our way down the hill back to the ashram. Just then Tavayogi and Mataji too returned from Methupalaiyam. The Seth who was to take us on the next leg of our pilgrimage too arrived at that moment. 

Tavayogi had earlier wanted to take us to Uthiyur some distance from Kangeyam where Konganar had meditated in the caves, that afternoon. But as the Seth offered to bring Tavayogi to the Nattadreeswarar Temple at Kangeyampalayam near Erode, Tavayogi took us along too. After a quick lunch, we set off for Erode. It was already nearing dusk as we arrived at Kangeyampalayam on the banks of Kaveri. On our way back we stop over at a Goshala. Here my children have a field day feeding the cows. It was close to midnight as we arrived back at Kallar.

Tavayogi who was pretty much impressed by the singing of the hymns by my children and wife the day before, requested that they sing again the next morning. After breakfast, we bid farewell to Tavayogi and Mataji and make our way back to Trichy and Malaysia.

Tavayogi and Mataji arrived in Malaysia on 15 June 2016 to witness my daughter's marriage the following day. After the wedding, Tavayogi and Mataji were ferried to the Jegathguru Sri Raghavendra Mrithiga Brindavanam Kinta. They then stopped over at their Paramaguru's samadhi, the Sri Jaganatha Swamigal Sivalayam in Tapah, before returning to Kuala Lumpur. Later that evening, Sri Krishna of AUM arranged to perform a puja for Agathiyar at the Eco City Agathiyar temple. Over the next few days, there was a continuous stream of devotees and visitors seeking Tavayogi and Mataji's blessings.

We arranged to conduct Siddha puja in the homes of devotees. The first such puja was held in Bala Chandran Gunasekaran's. Just before arriving at Bala Chandran's home, Tavayogi and Mataji stopped over at an old folks' home where Bala Chandran's family was conducting a monthly annadhanam. AVM Agathiyar continued to travel to homes of AVM family members accompanied by Tavayogi and Mataji, blessing and bringing joy to the devotees, including the homes of Dyalen Muniandi, Rajah, Santosh, Devaranie, Surendaren Selvaratnam, Sri Krishna, and Mahindran. After having graced the homes of devotees in Malaysia, both Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal and Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar crossed the causeway into Singapore to meet devotees of Agathiyar in the island republic. Surendran Selvaratnam of AVM accompanied them. Tavayogi and Mataji were brought to a couple of temples while in Singapore too. Returning from Singapore they joined my family in conducting a puja at AVM. 

On 17 July 2016, AVM family members, AUM and Thondu Seivom headed for the Taiping Thanneermalai Sri Thandayuthapani Temple to join Tavayogi and Mataji in conducting the Siddhar Yagam and Puja at the temple premises. Yagam was conducted at the Eco City Agathiyar temple and the Sri Jaganatha Swamigal Sivalayam in Tapah.

Tavayogi and Mataji paid homage to Lord Muruga at Batu Caves and Mauna Samy's Samadhi on 27 July 2016. After 43 days in Malaysia and a couple of days in Singapore, Tavayogi and Mataji headed back to their homeland the next day. Tavayogi and Mataji had led the prayers in the homes of 12 devotees and in 3 temples, besides gracing the homes of many others. Many received the blessings of Agathiyar through the Jeeva Nadi readings that were read out by Tavayogi.

When Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal confirmed the date of the Kumbhabhisegam of his new Agathiyar temple/ meditation hall complex as on 16 December 2016 the AVM family made its way to Kallar Ashram. We were privileged to participate actively in their programs.

15 December 2016

Vastu Puja/ Muthal Kaala Velvi

வாஸ்து பூஜை /முதல் கால வேள்வி : மக்களை வாழவைக்கும் தமிழ்க் கடவுளுக்கும் முற்காலம் உணர்ந்த குருமுனிக்கும் 18 சித்தர்களுக்கும் வேள்வி வழிபாடு 

16 December 2016

Erandam Kaala Velvi

இரண்டாம் கால வேள்வி / அருள்மிகு முருகப் பெருமானுக்கும் அருள்மிகு அகத்தியருக்கும் அருள்மிகு 18 சித்தர்களுக்கும் திருக்குட நன்னீராட்டு 

17 December 2016

Book Release

நூல் வெளியீட்டு

18 December 2016

Kodi Yetram/ Sarva Dosa Nivarana Maha Yagam

கொடியேற்றம் / சர்வ தோஷ நிவாரண மஹா யாகம்

After Tavayogi's demise in 2017, Mataji continues to run and manage the Ashram. She continues the tradition set by Tavayogi. Yoga classes and talks, prayers for Agathiyar and the Siddhas, feeding the poor, and giving handouts in cash and kind with financial assistance from the public, and reading the Jeeva Nadi continues till this day. As I look back to the days when I got introduced to Tavayogi, it brings back fond memories. Agathiyar first brought me to the Nadi, so that he could reveal the reason for being here; and later brought me to my guru, so that I knew where I was heading. Agathiyar himself then came into our lives through a Murthy or bronze statue in 2010. Now he comes through devotees and guides us. We are indeed blessed.