IT IS ALL ABOUT TRANSFORMING

In these past 20 years of worship to him Agathiyar has answered and finally made me understand and accept all the discrepancies and myriad forms and methods of worship including even those in his path. What angered and frustrated me for the loss of answers is clear now. For instance why my close associates suffered and even those who were servants of the Lord serving them faithfully. He reveal something known as karma and I understood and accepted it. For instance why some movements were focused on feeding the hungry until this day. This was an easy means to remove one's karma and relief the karma of the receivers besides appeasing their hunger and keeping them alive. For instance why another movement had moved to the worship of Jothi. They had progressed to another phase. For instance why a guru took me to task for worshipping the Agathiyars statue. He was speaking about moving up the ladder.  For instance why Tavayogi kept reminding us to come out of Bhakti and temple worship into Gnanam. He too was speaking about taking the leap from the mainstream religions and their rituals, customs, and traditions into something more finer and subtle, leaving the gross behind. Today I can accept all these as we have been there and most importantly moved ahead. But we are not to become comfortable as yet for according to Ramalinga Adigal there is much ahead. Listing some stages he tells us that there are many stages yet to transcend that he cannot find words to describe. 

It is all about transforming oneself moving from the gross back to the subtle and thence experiencing the states that come with it. Dr. C. Srinivasan, writing on Ramalinga Adigal's experiences in "An Introduction to the Philosophy of Ramalinga Swami" published by Ilakkia Nilayam, Tiruchi, 1968, lists the experiences gained by way of using this very body as a vehicle and bringing the desired change within, and moving further in changing the very physical gross body into something much subtle.  

In achieving the body of love or Sudha Deham or Anbu Uru it gives rise to the experience known as Uyir Anubhavam. Next in achieving the body of grace or Pranava Deham or Arul Uru, it gives rise to Arul Anubhavam. Then one achieves the body of Bliss or Gnana Deham or Inba Uru that gives rise to experience and realization of God Supreme or Siva Anubhavam.

So how does this transformation come about? Ramalinga Adigal shares his secret in attaining these transformations and states. He sings that one has to think incessantly until he feels and melts with love for god. In such a melting mood one burst into tears and sings the praise of god and soothing warmth is produced in the aspirant. When this universal love and sacred warmth develop, the body, as well as the soul, became prepared for the descent of grace, in the form of light. When this occurs, the material body of impure elements is transformed into a ‘body of pure light’. The ultimate and greatest transformation in human evolution: a transmutation into the godhead, which he referred to as merging with the body of supreme wisdom - the body of god supreme (Gnana Deham). The extent of this achievement though is dependent on the grace of Arutperunjhoti.

Here we come to understand why the saints have always spoken and sung about the need for God's grace or Arul besides our own initial efforts. Tavayogi tells us that our efforts are only till the 2nd chakra. We need God's grace to progress further. With his grace, we drop our efforts and everything happens on its own accord. 

If coming to the path and knowing about my karma and taking the necessary measures as outlined by Agathiyar in my very first Nadi reading helped clear the rocks that stood in the way of the flow of the river of life, depriving me of the many benefits, that I was supposed to derive, from the puja and the practice of Yoga I put in in the beginning years of my adulthood, paved the way for me to officially learn these practices from Tavayogi in 2005 and 2007 respectively the river of life that I sailed on in a boat called Yoga with the oar and lessons to use it that were given by Tavayogi, build up enormous heat as a result of tapas or the austerities done which burnt the fortress down to an extent. A sharp excruciating pain would arise in my lower back, and shoot down down my right leg to my toes akin to the symptoms of sciatica but both he and the doctors ruled it out. The doctors gave me a clean bill of health while Agathiyar taking it lightly brushed my pain aside. Later he told me the reason for the excruciating pain that I had endured between 2010 and 2012 was that my Muladhara chakra had opened up. I was asked to stop the Yoga practice and given herbal prescriptions to counter and bring back a balance to the 3 dosas. When that pain was relieved in a mysterious way in 2012,  the pain in my lower back came back several times in 2016 and 2918. It shifted between my right and left groins, and my left testicle. This pain after some time was felt in the chest.  In Tavayogi's demise in 2018 and his absence, Agathiyar extended his hand in a timely manner. In 2019 Agathiyar although brought a halt to puja and charity revived the practice of Yoga in me. But as Tavayogi had mentioned its waters began to pond at the 2nd chakra.

Agathiyar told me on 30.1. 2020 I had stagnated in my worldly affairs. He told me, "You cannot possibly break the shackle alone. Hence follow the practices that I am to give you." நீ உலக வாழ்க்கையில் நீர்தேங்கிறாய். இவ்கடிவாளத்தால் உம்மால் மீண்டு வர இயலாது. ஆகையால் யாம் சொல்லும் வழிமுறைகளைச் செய்து வா. In July of 2022, he told me that "Currently your Muladhara and Svadhisthana are open. At present, your breath is at the pond (lake). The time of its opening is near. Now is the right time to start your practice. This would open up the chakra completely. இத்தருணம் உமக்கு மூலாதாரம் திறந்தது, ஸ்வாதிஸ்டானம் திறந்தது. இப்பொது மான் மூச்சி குளத்தில் இருக்கிறது. அவை திறக்கும் தருணம் வந்தது. இப்போதுதான் நீ உமது பயிற்சியினை தொடங்க வேண்டும். இந்த நிலையில் அச்சக்கரம் முற்றும் திறந்துவிடும். Shortly after on 22 August 2022, I felt a pull of a nerve and a tug right below the navel immediately upon waking up and stretching myself in bed at 6.40am. It brought on a swirling sensation followed by a chillness. My whole body became numb right to the tips. But it was blissful. Soon I felt nauseous and had the urge come on to pee and urine. I collapsed twice on the way to the toilet picking myself up each time. Back from the toilet, all was fine. The next day, I woke up at 7.20am, to go to the loo but I could not piss. I picked myself up and climbed onto the bed. My body became numb from the shoulders down. I lay like a dead log on my bed. Although I could not move even an inch of my torso I was able to see, hear and talk and was aware of what was happening to me. I asked myself if this was what a dead body would feel like. Soon it went away. Seeking answers to what had taken place, Agathiyar cleared the air later. He told me not to worry and said that the ponded water was released. Nevertheless, he gives a warning to all of us. When the chakras are activated late in life it would have some adverse results on our bodies. When the heat of tapas increases in our body, blood flow will be less bringing on numbness. This would result in urinary and excretion problems. 

கவலை கொள்ள ஒன்றுமில்லை. தேங்கி இருந்த நீர் வெளி கொண்டது. ஆனபோதும் முதிர்ந்த நிலையில் சக்கரங்கள் திறப்பதனால் உதிர வாட்டம் கொண்டுள்ளது. ஆகையால் எண்கள் மேரு பெறும். ஆங்கில மருத்துவம் கொண்டு அதனைச் சுத்தம் செய்து கோல். முதிர்ச்சியில் சக்கரங்கள் திறக்கும்போது அவ்வுடல் சில பாதிப்பினை ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளும். ஆகையால் மருத்துவம் உனக்குத் தேவை. உனது உடலில் உஷ்ணம் ஏற ஏற உதிரம் குறையும். உதிரம் குறைந்தால் உடல் மறுத்துப் போகும். உடல் மறுத்துப் போனால் சிறுநீர் கோளாறு கழிவில் கோளாறு. மருத்துவம் கொண்டு அதைச் சீர் படுத்திக் கொள்.

Then Agathiyar went on to ask me to reveal henceforth through this blog the changes that my body undergoes. Enough of writing about him he said and added that if one wants to come to merge with the Jothi through its worship, he needs to know what changes would happen within the body. I was asked to share this with the readers of this blog. His revelations will be my experience he said. இனி உன் எழுத்துக்கள் உடல் மாற்றங்கள் பற்றியதாக இருக்கட்டும். எனது பெருமை போதும். ஜோதியினை வழி பட்டால் அதோடு இணைய வேண்டும் என்றால் உடலில் எவ்வித மாற்றங்கள் ஏற்படும் என்று உன் வாசகர்களுக்குத் தெரிய படுத்து. உனது அனுபவம் எனது அறிவு. 

Agathiyar surprises me by saying that my gurus should have come to my assistance. But as they are engaged in his work, they had asked Agathiyar to come to our need. உன் குரு இருந்து செய்ய வேண்டியது.  என் தேவைக்கு அழைத்தேன். இப்போது அவன் என்னை அனுப்பி வைத்தான். அவனின் ஆசி என்றும் உண்டு. நேர்மையான சீடனை எள்ளளவும் மறக்கமாட்டான். சுப்பிரமணியனும் அப்படியே. 

Later Agathiyar comes to give me strength and courage besides reiterating that I share my experiences with readers. He says, "Do not be afraid of death. It is but another door to another journey. One who invites death is a Siddha. There is much I need to carry out through you. Enough of my praise. Write about your bodily experiences. Let your writings be about the changes taking place in your body. Let your readers know the changes that take place in the body if they come to worship the light and seek to merge with it. My wisdom shall be your experience. Experience first and I shall clarify the experiences later. Experience is knowledge to you. Nothing is beyond experience." மரணபயம் வேண்டாம்.  மரணம் ஒன்றும் அல்ல. மற்றொரு பயணத்தின் கதவு.  எவன் ஒருவன் மரணத்தை அன்போடு வரவேற்கின்றானோ அவன் சித்தன் ஆகின்றான். உன்னில் இருந்து நான் காரியங்கள் செய்வதற்கு இன்னும் நிறைய இருக்கிறது. எனது பெருமை போதும். இனி உன் எழுத்துக்கள் உடல் மாற்றங்கள் உடல் அனுபவம் பற்றியதாக இருக்கட்டும். ஜோதியினை வழிபட்டால் அதில் இணைய வேண்டும் என்றால் உடலில் எவ்வித மாற்றங்கள் ஏற்படும் என்று உன் வாசகர்களுக்குத் தெரிய படுத்து. உனது அனுபவம் எனது அறிவு. அனுபவமே உனக்கு அறிவு. அனுபவத்தைத் தாண்டி ஒன்றுமே இல்லை. நீ அனுபவம் கொண்டுவா, பின்னர் உரைக்கிறேன். 

Agathiyar gives me confidence saying, "If going within is difficult think of it as a practice for you. Going within will bring you to merge with the Prapanjam. There is no easy way. What you go through is very much easier and milder that what I went through." உள் பயணம் சிரமமாக இருக்குமானால் அதுவே உமக்கு பயிற்சி. ஆழ்ந்து போவது நீங்கள் பிரபஞ்சத்தோடு இணைவதற்கு. இதற்கு சுலபமான வழி இல்லை. நான் கண்டதை விட நீங்கள் கண்டு வருவது மிகவும் சுலபமானது.

Agathiyar ends the note by telling me that there is no easier way to attain or merge with the breath, the sensation, the vibration, the magnetism, the Prapanjam, and the Jothi. With a little effort from us, the Siddhas shall aid us further. Then the energies will do the rest. The breath is akin to the river that turns the turbine machine in our case the chakras to produce electricity and energy. We have basically become a dynamo. The swirling sensation felt for several weeks in the abdomen just below my navel was regularly felt in the top of my head but with a lesser intensity. I guess this is what Agathiyar meant when he said I shall feel a magnetic wave arise. The body is now a magnet that is attracting the effulgence from beyond. We understand that while we see lightning appear in the skies and strike things on the ground, there is a small amount of electricity that reaches out to it from the earth. The small amount of electricity meets the larger expanse that is God. A clear nostril is a highway for these energies to hitch on the breath and make their way swiftly to the depo at the top of the head. A couple of days later, it seemed more like a flowering of petals and was blissful. On 19 October 2022 as I lay on my sofa in the living room with my eyes close, my finger that was touching the crown of my head could feel a pulse. This is usually observed in small children. Modern science brushes this off as "feeling a pulse in the fingertip. It refutes that "there is no way that our fingers would be able to detect any blood flow given the condition that between the finger and the scalp and the arteries of our brain is the skull." It was there for some time.

Lately, a pain similar to that which I had endured in the years between 2010 and 2012 made a comeback. Now it has moved to the left of my neck. It makes its way to the back of my head. It results in pain in the left ear too. Excessive wind would be expelled from the body during these times. The pain would leave after several days on its own accord. Now it is back again in the same spot. Initially, when the pain came on I thought I had sprained my neck while asleep probably as a result of my tummy sleeping position. I guess like in the past Agathiyar, Dhanvantri or Lord Murugan have to come to my aid again to bring some relieve and explain further what was going on. Let us see if they come tomorrow as we celebrate Agathiyar's annual puja at AVM.

Since Agathiyar had asked that henceforth I share my experiences relating to the bodily changes taking place in me, I began to post them without holding anything back for going by Tavayogi's stand on these matters he chose not to speak about them. Even when a news channel asked him how he came to gain the "power" or "sakti" to read the Jeeva Nadi that we know to be a blank piece of palm leaf,  he stopped short of saying that "While I was in the caves... I should not say.. that someone gave me...." He refused to reveal further.

Just as the butterfly transforms and evolves from an egg to a pupa to a caterpillar and an adult so is it with us, transforming and evolving into the image of God. For this to happen we need his grace. To attain his grace we have to begin from the start - Worship. 

SADHU OM

When Tavayogi told me that no one can chain or shackle a Siddha and that the soul has to be set free to explore, I believe that it applies to those souls who are free spitted and want to explore all things in life. I guess that is what these souls had asked to experience before taking birth here.  Getting a taste of life and learning lessons from these experiences the soul moves on to more idealistic desires in future births moving closer to Light with each birth. This is the progression of the soul. So seeing things in this light there is nothing wrong. Sadhu Om in bringing Bhagawan Ramana's teaching to us through his many songs that are pretty much easy to comprehend, in bringing the cream of Bhagawa's teachings within reach of a common layman, he has us settle down and look at things in a different perspective that of non-interference. 

Sadhu Om has written numerous songs that have addressed the Manam or Self reminding it of the presence of God that supersedes all other love and desires. It would serve to know the man first before we go into his works. We learn about the Sadhu from http://sadhuom.net/, http://www.arunachalasamudra.org, and https://realization.org/. 

"Sadhu Om in searching for a genuine Guru first read about Ramana in Suddhananda Bharati’s book "Sri Ramana Vijayam". When he went to the Ramakrishna Mutt, in Chennai and told the President that he was in search of Truth and asked for guidance, the President seeing his yearning asked him to visit Sri Ramana Maharshi. At that time he was living and working in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. He wanted to know if there was anyone who visited Tiruvannamalai so that he can join them and make a visit. Enquiring from friends about Sri Ramana, he was directed to Janaki Mata who used to regularly visit Sri Ramanashram with her friends. Hearing this Sadhu Om along with the friend went to her place. He entered the house and asked her when she was planning to go next and if he could join her? She replied that they would be leaving for Tiruvannamalai the following week. When he was about to leave, she said that they were going to recite the Sri Arunachala Akshara Mana Malai. When he sat down to join them in singing, he was so attracted by the depth of the prayer, that he was thrilled and his yearning to visit Tiruvannamalai increased multifold."

"On 6th July 1946, as promised Sadhu Om went with Janaki Mata to meet Sri Bhagavan. Sri Bhagavan revealed His Nirguna Sath Swaroopa for Sri Swamigal on his very first visit. Everyone went into the hall where Sri Bhagavan was sitting and prostrated before him but when Sadhu Om went up to prostrate before Sri Bhagavan, he only saw Sri Bhagavan's empty seat. Nevertheless, he prostrated thinking that Sri Bhagavan might have left his seat during the moments before he came before his seat. When he got up, he saw a dense mass of light appear which gradually took the form of Sri Bhagavan's physical body."

Sadhu Om describes this moment in his own words in an interview in "Arunachala Ramana".

"When I entered the hall I wanted to see Bhagavan but I only saw a sofa and no one sitting on it. I was surprised to see, however, that everyone else was doing namaskarams towards that sofa. When I was hesitating about whether to do namaskarams, I began to notice the vague outline of a human figure sitting on the sofa. At once I prostrated. When I got up, I saw that vague figure slowly solidifying and becoming clear. Then only was I able to recognize it as Sri Bhagavan."

"A couple of weeks later, Sadhu Om went back to Sri Ramanasramam to have the darshan of Sri Bhagavan. He sat on a rock on Arunachala composing poems on Sri Bhagavan under the title, Vetkai [Divine longing]. After composing the 7th poem, he realized it was breakfast time, and he quickly went to the Ashram dining hall. He entered the dining hall and saw that Sri Bhagavan was eating there. He sat in front of Sri Bhagavan, and started eating. When Sri Bhagavan finished his breakfast, he got up from his seat. Seeing this, Sadhu Om also got up, although he had not finished eating. Sri Bhagavan looked at Sadhu Om and said, "Vandha Velaiyaip Paar" (Do what you came for). Though Sadhu Om then sat down, since he had gotten up while eating, he was reluctant to continue eating. Sri Bhagavan, after washing his hands, walked alongside the dining hall. Seeing Sadhu Om, he repeated the words again. Sadhu Om started eating again. As Sri Bhagavan went near the entrance and was about to pass over the threshold, Sadhu Om turned back and looked at Sri Bhagavan. Sri Bhagavan also looked at Sadhu Om and uttered the same words for the third time in succession. At this point, Sadhu Om realized that the words were Sri Bhagavan's upadesa for him, to look after the business for which he was born in this world."

Tavayogi too reprehended me for interfering in others' problems telling me to send them to download their problems to Agathiyar. In the beginning years of worship to the Siddhas went Agathiyar sent many strangers over to my home some would share their stories. Out of concern both my wife and I had given out unsolicited advice and ended in trouble. We learned a lesson there from these experiences. That was his upadesa for us. I can never forget the upadesa I got from my 6-year-old granddaughter. She was merely 3 years old back then. As she was seated on the settee, rooted watching "Masha and the Bear" over and over again, I teased her telling her that "I have seen this earlier" as the episodes popped up one after another in this series. She turned to me and pointed her finger to a corner telling me, "I am the one watching (that she doesn't mind seeing repeats), you go to your corner." I would then go stand in a corner. She would say "Not there" and direct me to my desk where I have my laptop working on this blog. So one day as she stood in front of the television, I came by and told her the same dialogue as all grandpas do as we too have been given a standard script. She was so stressed that she turned to look up at me and said, "You take care of your life and I shall take care of mine. "நீ உன் வாழ்க்கையை பார்; நான் என் வாழ்க்கையை பார்க்கிறேன்" Though I was taken aback I was amused at her choice of words especially the correct usage of the word "Life" or வாழ்க்கை in this context. I realized then that Agathiyar was telling me to do what I came for and not mess in others' life (again) just as Bhagawan Ramana told Sadhu Om "Vandha Velaiyaip Paar" or "வந்த வேலையை பார்"

"After Sri Bhagavan left the body, Sadhu Om wanted to come and settle at Tiruvannamalai. He began to write "Sri Ramana Varuhai" inviting Bhagavan Ramana. As he wrote verse No 172 Sri Bhagavan appeared before him. Swami thought that it is a dream. Thrice he appeared before him. Bhagavan said “Why you are calling me. You come to my place, Tiruvannamalai.” When Sadhu Om arrived at the Ashram, the then Ashram President invited him in, asking him to stay at the Ashram and look after the bookstall. He dedicated his entire life to Bhagavan, spreading the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi. Sadhu Om never sought for himself any recognition or appreciation from the world. In fact, his life was a perfect example of strict adherence to the principal precept of Self-enquiry taught by Sage Ramana."

Sadhu Om came to reside at Tiruvannamalai as he had wished, for thirty years until he passed away due to cerebral hemorrhage in March 1985. Even saints are not spared. But they accept and take it in their stride for death is only for the body. Their soul lives on. 

Calling Mahin over recently I voiced my concern about our purpose here and the need to leave something behind. As I went on and on Mahin interrupted me asking "What did Ramana leave behind?" This started me thinking. Today I understood his question as I pen this post. 

Sadhu Om had shared Bhagawan Ramana's words, a reminder to us that I had posted on Saturday, 8 August 2020. But I guess his words did not register with me then. Bhagawan needed to drive the nail into my heart piercing it deeper. Sadhu Om wrote, 

"Moreover, according to the great truth discovered and revealed by Sri Ramana Bhagavan, a good person leading a simple yet highly spiritual life and passing away unknown to the world does far more good to the world than all the political and social reformers and all the platform-heroes of philosophy . . .”

How I wish we too could leave this world in this state.

Agathiyar had charted a path for us in the 20 years that we had come to worship him. He gave us numerous tasks that we carried out to his satisfaction. Then he had us stop everything. As for the rituals he made us commit to carrying his annual vizha or fest once a year which coincides with the day of Thaipusam. We have planned something for tomorrow, but knowing Agathiyar very well he might come and change our agenda. Let us wait and see.

THAIPUSAM

As Thaipusam is celebrated in the temples dedicated to Lord Murugan throughout the world in a merry way tomorrow I still wonder why Agathiyar had switched AVM's Agathiyar Vizha or celebration for Agathiyar to this day several years back instead of following the rest of the world and Kallar ashram. If everyone else including us (back then in 2005) carried out the Jayanthi celebration for Agathiyar when the Ahilyam star rises during the Tamil month of Marghazhi, and Agathiyar himself had revealed in my Nadi the exact time of "his birth" as 27 1/2 Nazhigai that translates to 11 hours 58 minutes after the birth of the star, and if Agathiyar had brought all rituals to a stop in 2019 (for us at AVM), why did he remind us not to forget to celebrate this day? What is the significance of Thaipusam and why is it so dear to Agathiyar?

Besides the temples of Lord Murugan, the grounds of Satya Gnana Sabai in Vadalur would see devotees arriving in throngs to be part of the festivities. Kumar Keswani writes in his book "Land of the Festivals: An Introduction to Indian Culture and Traditions" that India is a land of festivals and fairs. When our forefathers came over to Malaya they brought with them their beliefs and superstitions, faith and worship, rituals and practices, customs, tradition, and language that are still intact and being followed by their lineage to this day.

Thaipusam in Malaysia is celebrated with great pomp and ceremony. The highlight would of course be the Kavadis carried by devotees to the beat of drums and songs set in the Kavadi Chintu metre. This variation of the folk song according to the "Encyclopedia of Indian Literature Volume 2, " is a song composed and sung on different occasions such as in the worship of a particular deity or in the daily prayers of the school children. The former is called Kavati Chintu and the latter Ennai Chintu. Kavati Chintu describes the greatness of the deity and the landscape where the temple is situated." Agathiyar's "Shanmuga Nayagan Thotram" is set to this beat. This beautiful composition from Agathiyar on his Guru Lord Murugan explains the many instances and forms where Lord Murugan appears. Besides setting the mood in this song Agathiyar reveals how Lord Muruga comes to devotees. He lists the many forms that he takes. A verse from this song அவன் பக்தர் நுழைந்திடும் வீட்டினிலே reveals that he follows into the homes where his devotees step into. I understand why our elders and ancestors were so steep in tradition back then for they saw through the physical self and addressed the soul as the Siddhas did. In inviting a visitor at the door, we welcome the deity too who follows them. Indeed Agathiyar has identified to us deities who follow devotees to our home AVM. In serving food to these visitors we serve the deities that live and move with them too. Agathiyar has said that in cooking and serving food he feeds the "elementals" residing in the body of his devotees. 

கண்களினால் கண்டு பொற்றிடலாம், ஆனந்த மாமலர்ச் சோலையிலே, மன ஆட்டம் அடங்கிய வேளையிலே, ஞானமும் தரும் தென்றல் காற்றினிலே, எழும் நாம சங்கீர்த்தன உற்றினிலே, பக்குவமாம் திணைக் காட்டினிலே, அவன் பக்தர் நுழைந்திடும் வீட்டினிலே, மிக்குயர்வாம் மலைக் கோட்டினிலே, அருள் மேவும் அகத்தியன் பாட்டினிலே, தொண்டர் திரண்டெழும் கூட்டத்திலே, அவன் சுற்றிச் சுழன்றிடும் ஆட்டத்திலே, அண்டர் தினம் தோலும் வானத்திலே, தவ ஆன்ம சுகம் பெரும் மோனத்தில், எழைக் கிரங்கிடும் சித்தத்திலே, பொருள் ஈந்து மகிழ்ந்தவர் அத்தத்திலே, ஊளைக் கடப்பவர் பக்தியிலே, தெய்வ உண்மையைக் காண்பவர் சக்தியிலே, வேதாந்த தத்துவ சாரத்திலே, அலை வீசும் செந்தூரக் கடல் தீரத்திலே, ஆதார குண்டலி யோகத்திலே, பர மாத்ம ஜீவாத்ம வைபோகத்திலே, அன்பர்க்கியற்றிடும் சேவையிலே, உயிர் அர்ச்சனையாய் மலர் தூவையிலே, இன்ப பெரும் புனல் வீழ்ச்சியிலே, காணும் யாவும் ஒன்றென்றுணர் காஷியிலே, நண்ணும் இயற்கை அமைப்பிலே, ஒளி நக்ஷத்திரங்கள் இமைப்பினிலே, விண்ணில் விரிந்துள்ள நீலத்திலே, மயில்மேல் வரும் ஆனந்தக் கோலத்திலே, தேகவிசாரம் மறக்கையிலே, சிவ ஜீவ விசாரம் பிறக்கையிலே, ஆகும் அருட்பணி செய்கையிலே, கங்கை ஆறு கலந்திடும் பொய்கையிலே, மானாபிமானம் விடுக்கையிலே, தீப மங்கள ஜோதி எடுக்கையிலே, ஞானானுபூதி உதிக்கையிலே, குரு நாதனை நாடி துதிக்கையிலே, ...

Agathiyar in explaining the many instances and forms where Lord Murugan appears in his song "Shanmuga Nayagan Thotram", describes the many ways that Lord Muruga is seen and felt. Among them, he is seen through the eyes as a vision, in the flower fields, when the mind settles, in the breeze that delivers Gnanam, in the chant of his name, in the untouched forest, in the places his devotees are, in the hill fortresses, amidst the crowd of devotees and their dance, in the places of worship, in the silence where the Atma attains bliss, in reaching out to the poor and in giving to them, in forgetting one's body in devotion and bakti, in those who have known the truth, in the gist of Vedanta, at Tiruchendur where the waves break, in Kundalini Yoga, in the merger of Paramatma and Jeevatma, in the service rendered by devotees, in showering him flowers, in the waters that fall, in seeing all as one, in seeing nature, in the winking stars, in seeing him on a peacock, in forgetting the body and watching the Jeevatma, in carrying out Sariyai, in poigai where the Ganges merge, in letting go of opinions and ego, in the rows of light, when Gnanam dawns and in Agathiyar's songs, and he goes on. It is clear that God's presence is very much in nature, all around us, and in all our activities.

This metre is apt for dancing around during this occasion. It sets the mood for the divine energies to come within the devotee and take on the pain as steel pierces the flesh of the cheeks and their backs. During these moments it is not the individual but the energies that parade down the streets heading from the banks of rivers or water tanks to the abode and sannadhi of Lord Murugan. The divine helps fulfill the vows of his devotees. 

Muruga is said to have taken on various names as he attained various advancements and states in his life.  Just like Akbar and Ashoka who were emperors of the Mughal and Maurya Empires respectively and Siddhartha from a Nepalese kingdom, Lord Muruga (Supramaniar) too according to P Karthigayan was a warrior who took his men to battle Surabatman who, to my surprise, headed the Chinese army. P Karthigayan has published many amazing references to Lord Muruga in his "History of Medical and Spiritual Sciences of Siddhas of Tamil Nadu." Supramaniar,  riding on an elephant, and garlanded in Kadamba flowers to help identify his soldiers, carried the flag with a cock as the symbol so as to identify his battalion, went to battle the Avunas who were led by Soorabanman hence saving the Tamils who then held him in high esteem. He became a savior of the Tamils. He helped them improve their commerce bringing prosperity to their society. He helped redefine their lifestyle and imparted wisdom. He then chose to observe penance at Siva's Nandhi monastery. He moved into Shiva's Nandhi monastery observing severe penances and austerities and engaged in yoga. He picked up yoga. He became Karthigeyan when he excelled in yoga, and came to be addressed as Kumaran after he discovered the secret of rejuvenation. As he remained ever-youthful he was called Kumaran and on attaining immortality was called Muruga. He claimed, in his own words, "I saw and experienced the breathless place - mounam." He too went through the painful process of transforming his body into "a fumelike aural body" writes P.Karthigayan. "I attained the air-like body". "Depriving the physical components that can lead one to death through the process of aging he regained his youth"  hence attaining deathlessness. He shared this secret to youthfulness with Siva. Besides that, he shared the secrets about the cosmos and the art of achieving the light or luminous body or oli deham. Siva who himself had attained longevity through other means cited in the Rig Veda, attained the luminous body too. Siva then adopted him as his offspring. As he took on the name Swaminathan could these secrets have possibly been parted to Siva during the said upadesam or imparting of the meaning of the Pranavam "AUM" to Lord Shiva by Lord Murugan at Swamimalai? He was conferred a kingdom Paran Kundram and became god of the Devas. 

P Karthigayan referring to Bhogar Saththakaandam 7000, mentions Kumaran as an ancient priest-king and a head of a monastery that was active for 123 generations. He was said to be 'active' for 3 yugas.

In Supramaniar Gnaanam 200, Agathiyar is said to have received teachings on the Siddha path from Kumaran. P Karthigayan quotes Agathiyar from his Perunool Kaviyam 12000 where Agathiyar mentions just like Kanna Piraan (Lord Krishna) he too seeked upadesam from Vadivelan. 

A story is told of Agathiyar and Supramaniar by Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar in his book, "Pothrinal Unathu Vinai Agalumapa", explaining the process through which Agathiyar attained the highest state that of becoming one with Erai. This state was made possible to Agathiyar by his Guru Supramaniar. All the knowledge to attain the state was made available to Agathiyar by Supramaniar because Agathiyar had provided the space, shelter, and all comforts for Supramaniar to carry on with his penances (tapas) and austerities (tavam) in a past birth. Agathiyar was 60 years of age then when Supramaniar attained the body of Light through his tapas, thanks to Agathiyar looking after all of his (Supramaniar) needs. Supramaniar promised Agathiyar that they shall meet in a subsequent birth and that he shall return the favor. In a subsequent birth, Agathiyar traveled in vain in search of his ideal guru. He eventually met Supramaniar at Kodaikanal, where Supramaniar made him recall the past and as promised in return for all his services in the past birth, blessed Agathiyar and taught him secrets of attaining the state of Erai. Agathiyar began by performing puja to Supramaniar. By way of devotion to Supramaniar, he realized that he had had the greatest gift which was the human birth, which comes by very rarely. Through Supramaniar he came to know himself and the divinity that resided in the physical body. He understood the very Nature that brought him forth and resided within him. With Supramaniar's guidance and blessings, Agathiyar relished the ambrosia or nectar that came about through his tapas. This removed the seven veils to reveal the Jhothi in him, hence attaining the body of Light. With this came Bliss, Siddhis, and the state of Deathless-ness. Agathiyar attained the five nature or tanmai of Erai namely Creation, Sustenance, Destruction, Veiling, and Showering Grace (Arul). Supramaniar conferred Agathiyar the title Gurumuni and Kumbamuni and sent him off to spread the Siddha way extensively all over the globe, bringing many into his fold. All the Siddhas looked towards Agathiyar as their Guru.

Agathiyar in my Nadi reading expounds on the greatness and benefits of worshipping Lord Muruga. The mere mention of his name would suffice in bringing these benefits.

Saint Arunagiri knew Lord Muruga as the god who came and caught him in his arms as he jumped from the temple towers of Arunachala. Arunagiri knew him as the god who gave him a dictate and asked him to go into isolation and solitude that took 12 years to come out of after Lord Muruga told him it was enough. Arunagiri knew him as the god who wrote on his tongue that got him started singing the Thirupugazh, songs of praise to Lord Muruga's praise. Arunagiri knew him as the god who appeared to all at Thiruvanamalai when Sambanthan contested and challenged him to make Lord Muruga appear before everyone. Arunagiri translated all his experiences into songs estimated at 16,000. 

So have Ramalinga Adigal, Pamban Swamigal, and many others sang the praise of Lord Muruga. Let us sing his praise too on this auspicious day of Thaipusam.

CONNECTING ...

Morgan Freeman says it beautifully in the opening of the documentary "Our Universe - Chasing Starlight", 

"In the lives of every creature on earth are echoes of events that occurred a long, long time ago. Events of unimaginable scale and violent beauty that connect all living things, their every action and decision, their every heartbeat to the grandest story ever told. This is a tale 13.8 billion years in the making that has seen billions of stars and billions of worlds live and die to create the only planet we know of that is home to life. From the stardust that builds us to the cosmic ingredients that sustain us and the starlight that powers it all, this is the story of our universe."

If we are indeed a part of the creation, we share the same materials that make us up. We are fueled by the same energy. The same energy gives rise to us, sustains us, and destroys us too. But man is considered superior just because he has the capacity to reason and know right from wrong. Others live on instinct or act spontaneously. They are programmed and do not have the freedom to make any changes. Man can bring about change. 

So why are we here? Is it to live our dreams? Is it solely to pay off an earlier debt? What is man's purpose here? The saints would say it is to evolve spiritually? What is to be spiritual then? Is it to carry out rituals for him the whole day long? Or is it to have the thought of God in our mind 24/7? But have we seen God? How can we hold a thought if we haven't seen it? That would be akin to holding a vision or asked to visualize. But whose vision do we hold? The many forms given to our Gods are visions of someone else. Why are we holding on to someone else's vision? In asking me to build a temple for him Lord Murugan told me that he was not depicted correctly and that I shall show him differently, in a different light, does that mean he has another form that has not been expressed? Who gave the gods the form we see them in? At Kallar Ashram we see Agathiyar standing tall and majestic as opposed to the dwarf image that we have been used to seeing. Tavayogi and Mataji told us that this depiction of him was made after referring to ancient texts.

As we move on with life aimlessly something triggers in us posing a question as to who we are and why are we here? What is our purpose? Is this all there is to life, waking up each day and going to work or caring for others and retiring at the end of the day pretty exhausted only to start the regime again the next day? When these questions crop up within us our search begins. Bringing me on a unique journey, Tavayogi said "This is the beginning of a new journey, my son" as he led me beyond the walls of his ashram to seek the abodes and caves of the Siddhas as if the answers were out there. As he pointed out to me saying that the Siddhas were ushering us, showering flower petals, rejoicing at our arrival and opening their eyes in granite statues and seated with us, and dining with us it was as if I had stepped into a whole new world. This is what the wise say as "Sutti Kaathuvathu" where the guru brings our attention to things that we miss out in life. He brings us to see them anew. He brings appreciation to the moment. He brings us to live in that moment. But I was oblivious to that then and even now. Even when Agathiyar comes to us these days and points out that the Siddhas and saints are seated among us we fail to see or sense their presence. We're blind to so many things. All we see is the world around us that we take to be real. In reality, they tell us that all this is false and that what is beyond our normal vision is truly real. For instance, when he comes he says he addresses our soul and not us. As such our appearance is immaterial and not of any significance or importance. 

Pondering over the above questions we set our eyes on a goal or destination that someone else had laid for us. We do not investigate for ourselves or chart a new path for fear of entering new unknown terrain. We are comfortable traveling the road well-trodden. Now hitting the dirt track we look for signs and after some time lose our patience and begin to ask as the Donkey does in the movie "Shrek", "Are we there yet?" We tire out and give up the venture. 

In the "Samadhi" series of documentaries, we are told that ultimately the path is the destination. We fail to see this truth as we walk the path, any path for that matter. If we are viewing ourselves from a greater height or altitude we would see how close we are to reaching the destination or rather to put it correctly we see how we have already arrived for is the destination a particular spot to be stood on? If so is it an acre, a foot square, or a spot that even might be smaller than the sole of a child's feet? 

Ramalinga Adigal wrote songs that revolve around popular games played by children in Indian villages. By composing several songs in the traditional folk metre, Adigal took his songs to the rural folks in the villages, thus bringing his highly esoteric songs to the masses. Ramalinga Adigal ends his Thiru Unthiyar with the refrain from a game played by girls in ancient times. Robert Butler in his "Unthiyar", writes, "The shout unthii para, sung originally as a refrain in a children's game, has been taken as a metaphor for the soaring of the human spirit in its quest for a spiritual knowledge which transcends the limitation of the time and space bound body, mind and senses." Another song that merges well with a game is "Panthaadal". The children swirling around in fun is something the Tibetans do and regard as Yoga. It is the first and one among the sequence called 5 Tibetans. My granddaughters would always ask me to swing them high asking to fly "Paraka Paraka". I did not realize what they we asking me to do until this moment when I am penning these words. Those who think they are here to teach and educate the children should observe them and begin to learn a thing or two.

Everyone born has already started his spiritual journey. He is already a seeker for otherwise we would not be here. This is where we play our role in God's Lila of Hide and Seek. Just as the kids get together and decide that they shall play hide and seek and someone will start the countdown while the others rush to hide themselves similarly leaving God's kingdom we have come to hide ourselves waiting for God to find us. The day he finds us we rejoice and dance and hug him. That is a day to remember for life.

THE BLUEPRINT IS UNDERSTOOD

It is all so clear now. When we started with Sariyai where our parents brought us to temples to pray and taught us to place flowers at our home altar and sing along with them, most of us carried this out throughout our lives passing it to our children and grandchildren. It ended there. We were the festive crowd that gathers on occasion at the temples. But with the advent of the Siddhas in our lives we are taught to carry out rituals ourselves hence stepping into Kriyai. We are given the freedom and space and confidence to do it. When Tavayogi asked me to carry out the homam in my home I hesitated as we have only seen it performed by trained priests in temples and our homes when a need arises. But he made it look so simple and easy to do, encouraging me over the phone. Later when he visited my home he helped finetune the rituals by carrying them out before us. Soon Agathiyar removed the remaining doubt in me telling me in the Nadi reading that I was doing it not for myself but for the good of all of creation (Ulaga Semathukaake). He sent aspirants to my home after their Nadi readings to participate in these rituals. The Siddhas in having us purify ourselves by burning negative thoughts and actions and past karma through the ritual of the fire or Homam had us engage actively in charity and feeding the hungry too thus freeing us from the grasp of all karma. Only when our past karma is settled shall we gain benefits in all our ventures be they material, religious, or spiritual. Agathiyar told me in my very first Nadi reading that though I had conducted puja (in the confines of my home) and done yoga (learning from books) and studied the scriptures, karma stood in my way of reaping its benefits. We are free to move up the ladder into Yoga now. Through Yoga, the body and mind are purified further and the body is moduled into a perfect vehicle to receive the grace and effulgence of the divine energies that are to come. With this comes Gnanam or divine wisdom. 

THE MOVEMENT OF THE INNER ENERGIES

As Agathiyar told me sometime back to share whatever changes that were taking place within me, I had carried them in several prior posts. Lately, a pain similar to that which I had beginning in 2010 that shifted from my lower back, sort of a tug on a vein or nerve or a cable of some sort that ran right down my right leg to my toes. When that pain was relieved in a mysterious way in 2012, a new pain was felt shifting between my right and left groins, and my left testicle. This pain after some time was felt in the chest. Now it has moved to the left of my neck. It makes its way to the back of my head. It results in pain in the left ear too. Excessive wind would be expelled from the body during these times. The pain would leave after several days on its own accord. Now it is back again in the same spot. The pain is still there as I type these words. Initially, when the pain came on I thought I had sprained my neck while asleep probably as a result of my tummy sleeping position. But yesterday I saw the pain come back slithering slowly along my neck and settling in the very same spot as before, just as the earlier pains were always in the same spot momentarily before moving to other places. I believe from what little experience I have had, that even the path of these energies might not be in a direct line as depicted in the visuals and books. Then I come across an illustration in CW Leadbeater's book "The Chakras" that surprised me. Some chakras could be offline explaining the pain in me that was off to the side in the torso region. 

The Chakras by CW Leadbeater

Then again I remember having read and seen back in the past another illustration that I cannot remember where I saw it of the energy contrary to traveling in a straight line following the spinal cord, it leaves the body through a certain chakra and reenters it later in a chakra further up. As Swami Tadatmananda mentions in his video many myths have evolved over the years regarding these energies. 

Anyway, when the number of chakras is widely mentioned as 7 in numbers, certain authors like Cyndi Dale state as many as 32. R.Venu Gopalan besides the major 7, lists as many as 145 minor chakras plus another 85 that work in conjunction with the 7 major chakras. Just as Ramalinga Adigal in detailing the many stages of spiritual unfoldment stops short of explaining the last few stages mentioning that they cannot be described, R.Venu Gopalan says that there are 7 chakras beyond the realm of the Sahasrara chakra that is impossible to achieve. He continues in his book "The Hidden Mysteries of Kundalini" that, "These chakras are not physically connected with the body but are linked with the soul and the purpose of these chakras are divine and beyond the comprehension of the common man." Agathiyar surprised me telling me that there were two chakras above and below the nose where he asked to focus back then.

Coming back to my pain now what could this excruciating pain be? Searching the net I came across one such chakra called Zeal Point Chakra whose location is the exact spot I am feeling the pain now. One blog my360massage.com precisely locates the spot of my pain as "at the back of the neck and the base of the skull, where there is an indention." Another at https://elizabethperu.com/ places it at the same spot telling us to "Place your thumbs against the back of your neck and press your index fingers in right at the base of your skull. Does it hurt when you do this?"

Let us wait for Agathiyar to clear the air. Agathiyar who comes by to reveal things and explain these experiences is yet to tell me. 

ALL IS WELL

Asked to worship the Siddhas by Agathiyar in the Nadi, I ventured to look for places that conducted this worship. I found many organizations and movements associated with the Siddhas but none worshiped the Siddhas per se as we see in the temples at that time (2002). One organization had moved on to reciting the Agaval and the worship of the Jothi. Another establishment was solely aligned with carrying out charity. Meeting my guru Tavayogi he spelled out that we should come out of Bakthi and temple worship and seek Gnana. The guru of another Agathiyar Peedham took me to task for conducting libation and praying to Agathiyar's statue. Ain't this all confusing? Now, what is happening here? Though we have many grey areas here all these have been understood only now after having walked the path for some 20 years.

It is all about shedding the skin or shirt or rather in this context leaving what is learned and moving on to other new learnings that come by as we progress spiritually and as the Atma in us evolves together. It is all about letting go of our hold on beliefs, faith, rituals, practices, methods, texts, paintings, statues, gurus, and even deities too. We then stand on the threshold of Advaita. Unless we drop the thought and practice of seeing God separate from us we can never move from Dvaita and Advaita. The goal is to reach oneness with the creator.

Though the journey was confusing and frustrating at times as we saw so many contradictions and dissimilarities the puzzle is solved and the pieces have come together. We now understand that each person was right either in holding on or moving up at that period of time, according to their state of spiritual progress and their comprehension of spiritual matters. I can now accept all that is listed in the opening paragraph. I guess I have matured spirituality and am beginning to see the full view of the spiritual path drafted for all of mankind to evolve and progress in good time according to their karma and nature, effort and discipline, yearning and spirit. As for us, I see that we are often reminded of Bhagawan Ramana's teachings these days. We tend to concede and conclude with Bhagawan for why would Bhagawan build a temple too. A head of the Divine Life Society pointed out years ago the need for temples, especially in Malaysia. Temples like language are one's identity he said. Wipe them out and we lose our identity. I guess that is the reason our ancestors have a saying, that not to reside in a town that has no temple.

THE REBELS

Bharathi did not have many friends but made many foes because he was uncompromising holding on to a set of principals. He was angered by what he saw and chose to break away and arise from the shackles that man had subjected himself to in course of time. He is indeed a Siddha for aren't all Siddhas a rebel. Sivavakiyar too was a rebel shooting down many of the practices that are close to our hearts and we find it difficult to let go. The mainstream religions including the religious and spiritual institutions and the beliefs, faiths, and customs that the community and society had could never see eye to eye with the Siddhas. But the Siddhas never sidelined their faith nor worship. For instance, in calling me to their path, Agathiyar sent me on a pilgrimage to several temples the most popular and those that we had unheard of. I was to conduct atonement or parikaaram at Utamar Temple, Palur Sani Temple, and Tiru Aanaikaval Temple, all in Trichi. Besides that, I was asked to worship at the five elemental temples of Shiva, namely Kalahasti Temple in Andhra Pradesh, Egambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram, Tillai Nadaraja Temple in Chidambaram, and Tiru Aanaikaval Temple in Trichi (already mentioned). I was also instructed to worship at Palani Murugan and Bhogar’s Temple. I was to circumambulate (girivalam) the sacred hill of Tiruvannamalai during a full moon. 

He asked me to come to the worship of the Siddhas besides worshipping Lord Ganapathy and Lord Shiva. These deities were not new to me as my parents had paintings of them on our altar at my childhood home. They had brought us to temples too. Later as a bachelor working elsewhere, I continued the family tradition of having an altar in my bachelor home and visiting the neighboring temples. But who were these Siddhas? When the Nadi reader arranged for me to conduct the ritual of thanksgiving to the Siddhas or Nadikku Dhanam for documenting details of my past life and depicting the present and predicting the future I got to know their names as it was read out. But that was not enough. I had to know more than their names. I began to look for books on these Siddhas. I served the net. I dropped in at the movements and organizations that carried the names of these Siddhas to know how to worship them as Agathiyar had told me just that - to worship the Siddhas. I picked up literature, books, and videos of talks of those who had ventured earlier onto the path. Dissatisfied with attending gatherings at these places, I began to expand my home puja adding more names to the already long list of Siddhas after verifying their stories and authenticity. In 2005 Agathiyar introduces me to Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of Kallar Ashram who was in Malaysia to officiate several peedhams. Initiating me officially into the path, he showed me puja to the Siddhas, started me doing feeding and charity, showed me the abodes and caves of the Siddhas, threw in many miracles, showed me Yogic practices and rituals like a libation to Agathiyar's statue, and conducting Homam a smaller version of the Yagam that he carried out on his ashram grounds, in the many years of the tutelage under him. 

If in the weekly readings of the Aasi Nadi that I had back then Agathiyar had summoned each Siddha to address me in the Nadi, these days Agathiyar summons Lord Shiva, Goddess Ma, Lord Narayana, Lord Rama, Lord Muruga, and the Siddhas including Tirumular, Bhogar, Dhanvanthri, Ramalinga Adigal, Yogi Ramsuratkumar, and my gurus Supramania Swami and Tavayogi to bless us too.

Thus the Siddhas are not alien to our religious and spiritual traditions. What they did was have us drop unnecessary beliefs, rituals, and practices that trap us in remaining in Sariyai forever. Instead, they had us learn the trade and the tricks by starting us on Kriyai. In bringing us to Yoga later they enhanced our practices and bring us to connect with nature. Finally, all the life lessons and experiences bring us to the state of Gnana or divine wisdom. Though Tavayogi was steeped in Yoga and Gnana he ventured to build a temple for Tava Murugan, Agathiyar, and the 18 Siddhas leaving it behind for those new to the worship of the Siddhas to know them.

In summary just as Tavayogi upon landing on our soil had asked us to come out of Sariyai and brought Kriyai within our reach and taught us Yoga that did wonders, with the dawn of Gnanam we truly understand the whole process of the evolution of the soul stage by stage. We are here to evolve. Hence we can never be complacent and carry on doing the same stuff we started years ago. All our effort rather than enriching ourselves with riches should instead be focussed on enriching the soul or gaining Atma Balam. Then this soul having gained the internal strength can endure all that comes our way.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT

Of what use are even our tears asked a lyricist in the verse இயற்கை அழுதால் உலகம் செழிக்கும்..மனிதன் அழுதால் இயற்கை சிரிக்கும்.. from the song "Pirakum Pothum Alugindrai" comparing the immense benefit that is derived after the rain shower. Have you noticed how the world around us looks and feels after a downpour? There is so much renewed energy as if the whole world has been revitalized. In contrast in what way has man contributed to the well-being of nature? On the contrary, he has plundered, raped, and robbed its riches leaving it barren and exposed. A photographer and cameraman with BBC who revisits a place that he had photographed several years ago was in tears seeing how man has devastated the place. Man in his greed to accumulate riches and more land has torn nature apart. In its place, we see a concrete jungle. This concrete jungle day by day encroaches into the wilderness.

Man who believes he has made great scientific leaps realizes at his deathbed that though he has achieved much he is not able to stall or delay or escape the clutches of death and dies a painful death when Kapha or mucus and fluid block his breathing apparatus disabling breathing. The breath is the Uyir or lifeline. The moment it leaves us we are but a solid mass of meat that is food for the animals, birds, insects, worms, and maggots.

Man is connected to nature. There is the earth element and its minerals in him. There is water in him. There is heat and warmth in him. There is wind in him. There is space in him. If the moon has an influence on the tides, man who is composited of water is pretty much influenced by it too. There is a connection between the waning and waxing moon with man and his behavior and his mental being. Yogis take their breath as a tool to refine and correct their breathing patterns to follow the phases of the moon. This keeps them in sync with nature. As I wrote in a previous post mentioning how a lyricist in writing that "இயற்கையின் மொழிகள் புரிந்துவிடில் மனிதரின் மொழிகள் தேவையில்லை", has captured the fact that though nature does not speak it communicates through the chill air or the warm of the day, a gust of wind, breeze, and wind, being gentle at one moment and at other times changing into extreme heat and cold, thunder and lightning, storm and flood, hurricanes, and typhoons that send us seeking cover, showing us who the master is, this then is the language of nature. There is a Rumi saying that goes "The earth has music for those who listen”. (Source: https://www.deeph.io/) Olga Pavuka writes "As there is no doubt that we are falling out of sync, we are asked to live in alignment with nature and its biological rhythms. Arranging your life a little better and syncing it with the natural cycles of life around you and the planet itself is essential." Yoga brings us there. It helps tap the inner resource that we are oblivious of. But once we take hold of it it does wonders.

I had practiced Yoga asanas and pranayam learning from books back then in the eighties when I was in my twenties. After a long lapse of some 13 years having stayed away from praying, temple visits, practicing yoga, and reading, all these were rekindled in a mysterious manner. Agathiyar in my first Nadi reading in 2002 tells me that all my prior learning and practices did not benefit me as my karma stood in my way. He sent me off on a pilgrimage locally and to India to take the necessary measures as stipulated in the reading. Now with my past karma out of the way, I saw immense benefits derived from learning a set of Yoga asanas and pranayam properly from my guru Tavayogi in 2007. When my lower back hurt as energies were released and the base chakra was opened without my knowledge in 2010, Agathiyar relieved me of my agony and asked me to stop all the practices. In asking me to go within in 2019, Agathiyar asked me to continue these Yoga practices and many more that he and Ramalinga Adigal gave as they came by. These Yogic practices connected me back to nature. Once I was connected to nature it took over from there. I began to see myself as part of nature rather than standing aloft and apart from it. I could relate to nature, sense and feel it. My senses were enhanced. I began to see its effects further as I saw changes take place within the physical body. The filth that I had accumulated in me all these 60 years was expelled. Energies saw their way up and around the nerves and channels and chakras. None of these were my efforts thenceforth. 

At https://www.healthline.com/ we are told that "You are a living energy field. Your body is composed of energy-producing particles, each of which is in constant motion. So, like everything and everyone else in the universe, you are vibrating and creating energy. The field of vibrational medicine, sometimes called energy medicine, seeks to use the vibrational energy generated by and around your body to optimize your health." Ramalinga Adigal helped us connect with the Prapanjam each time he came. He brought down the effulgence within that began to do wonders further without our knowledge or effort. If Tavayogi in introducing Agathiyar told us that Agathiyar was Kadavul or God and later equated him with Lord Shiva, as we stood in Sariyai, in having us come into Kriyai showed him to us as Guru, in having us practice Yoga he told us that Agathiyar was the Vaasi or breath, and finally expounds that Agathiyar and the Siddhas are all in the form of Jothi or Light, Agathiyar tells us that he is the Prapanjam, of it and in it too, and at a later date reveals to us that he is this vibrational energy (Athirvu). He is indeed Brahmam that resonates in silence and emerges as AUM that moves all of matter, subtle and gross. 

At healthline.com we learn further that "Vibrations are a kind of rhythm. Rhythms happen on a grand scale, like seasonal changes and tidal patterns. They also happen within your body. Heartbeats, breathing rates, and circadian rhythms are examples of physiological rhythms we can see, feel, and measure. But there are much smaller vibrations happening in your body, too. Inside each one of your cells, molecules vibrate at characteristic rates. Using atomic force microscopes, researchers have detected vibrations on the nanoscale — much smaller than 1/1000th the diameter of a single human hair. These vibrations generate electromagnetic energy waves. Researchers have found that vibrations and the electromagnetic energy associated with them cause changes in your cells, which can then affect how your body functions."

So it comes as no surprise that the scientist of yore the Siddhas possessed this knowledge and drafted ways for humanity to evolve first by retaining its body in top form and later changing its very constitution breaking it down to the cellular level and dispersing it back into nature. Thus the Siddhas are forever living among us in nature around us and in us. 

In asking Agathiyar if I should do more practice, he told me there was none and that these energies shall do their work. Hence I laid down my pen. I allowed him to write on this blank sheet of paper that is me and my body and the several other bodies tied to it. Today I enjoy life in the comfort of my small humble home spending quality time with my grandchildren. I am blessed to have the tiny fingers of a 2 1/2-year-old running down my shoulders and back giving me a gentle massage. I am blessed to have a 1 1/2-year-old toddler call me "Tata" (grandpa) none stop. I am blessed to have a 6-year-old bring story books to me to be read to her. These are my 3 grandchildren. I am blessed to have 3 meals and more a day. I am blessed with family and friends. We are blessed with drinking water to quench our thirst with the turn of a tap. We are blessed with the heat from the sun that keeps us warm. We are blessed with air that we breathe in to stay alive. The body produces the mineral it needs. Though we do not exert control over our bodies and the workings of our bodies go on on their own without our attention and interference, when we begin to neglect such a wonderful machine, as do all machines, it breaks down too. Then it would be a costly affair to set it back to running normally. Appreciate the breath and food that we take in. Consider each breath of air and mouthful of food as the last you shall take in.

I believe God must have made us in his image. He did not leave it to chance. Who could possibly come up with such a well-structured body that withstands and endures extreme heat and cold, adapts to the seasons and altitudes, fights off illnesses, heal wounds, and does many other wonders as in conceiving and giving birth. Sadly we do not appreciate something until we lose it. But then it's too late. To those forever chasing something please do turn your sights on your family and children. We are their world. Children do not have chores or careers hence they follow us all the time. Spend some quality time with them. Count and cherish your blessings while they are there. Time is running out.

KEPT IN THE DARK AS FOR NOW

Walt Disney was a master storyteller and a man of vision. With this combination, the man never seemed to stop. Watching the series "The Imagineering Story", he kept going and had his people continue even after his demise. I guess Tavayogi too came with a vision to our shores back in 2004 for the very first time. He followed an Indian citizen working in Malaysia in the hope of spreading the word of the Siddhas in the temples as he did not know any locals then. He returned again the following year after making an acquaintance with a local who visited his ashram in Kallar. He soon scouted around for someone to take the Siddha path to a greater height. That is when I met him and was captivated by the man and his vision rubbed on me. The first task he gave me was to hold the annual Agathiyar Jayanthi celebration simultaneously at the exact time and day he carried the event in his ashram grounds. During his many subsequent visits to Malaysia, he officiated the opening of several peedhams in the name of Agathiyar. But he never mooted me to start one nor was I keen to jump onto the bandwagon of peedhams mushrooming. Soon Agathiyar took over sending several youths over to join my home puja for the Siddhas. My home became Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM). The rest is history that is carried on these pages and made available on YouTube. Though we never ventured to establish a peedham, movement, or following, Agathiyar had since day one of my Nadi reading in 2002 asked that I build a temple for him. 

When my first guru Supramania Swami of Tiruvannamalai sent word out of his intention to build a temple for Lord Murugan through my nephew who was visiting him then I was glad that he was doing it. I thought by seeing his desire come true I would have accomplished what Agathiyar and Lord Murugan had asked of me. It did not matter if my guru did it and not me. But that venture was stopped by the ever-playful Lord who came in the guise of a stranger and vagabond and asked Swami why he was reverting to Bakthi when he was rooted in Gnanam. But the exact opposite happened with Tavayogi. Tavayogi who wanted to go into samadhi after spending many years as a mendicant was asked to set up an ashram at a place Agathiyar pointed out as Agathiyar Vanam in Kallar. Several years later Tavayogi ventured to build a temple/ashram for Agathiyar. This venture of his saw completion in 2016. Again I thought that my quota in building a temple was fulfilled. But it was not to be so for soon Lord Murugan joined in asking me to build him one too in a Nadi reading in 2018. When I questioned him silently as the Nadi was being read as to why he needed another temple adding to the thousands he had, he seemed to have read my mind and answered in the Nadi that I shall show him differently. How was that to be, I began to ask myself. I was never moved to do it though. I guess this is the only occasion that I disobeyed Agathiyar and Lord Murugan. Both Agathiyar and Lord Murugan have something up their sleeves I know for Agathiyar recently told me that I had a purpose to fulfill and they are not revealing it as yet. 

Just as he had brought the 30-odd youngsters from Thondu Seivom together to carry our home (AVM) puja into the corridors of the temples and feed the hungry on the streets through our charity arm Amudha Surabhi, maybe the venture to build a temple needs another set of people to come by and help me carry it out. We shall wait and see. 

REMINISCENCES

During the moments of death, we only see the suffering and pain the body undergoes as we are only aware of the existence of the physical and material. Agathiyar in coming to us says he goes beyond seeing the body. He sees only souls and addresses these souls. In the moments of struggle where life and death matter, he speaks to the souls. In moments of anguish and pain, he speaks to the souls. Death is not a tragedy. The decision of whether to stay or move is decided by the soul. Yama and fate only aid the process. In "The Little Soul and the Sun" by Neale Donald Walsch a soul tells the Little Soul that "we have danced together, you and me many times. Through the eons and across all the ages have we danced. Across all the time and in many places have we played together. You just don't remember. We have both been through all of it. We have been the male and female, the good and the bad, we have both been the victim and the villain of it. Thus we have come together, you and me many times before, each bringing to the other the exact and perfect opportunity to express and experience who we really are."

Having experienced life as per the karma and desires we carried and also satisfying those wishes that other souls had on us, and also curses brought on by them, we prepare to leave peacefully or abruptly when the stage is set as in a tragedy. Knowing death then we do not shed tears and cry over these moments of departure. Instead, we should recall the good moments we had with the soul and reminisce over them and speak about them. When my mother passed away recently, the family contributed images and videos of the many moments they had in the company of our mother, (grandma, and great-grandma to other family members) which was later complied by her grandchildren and run during the wake for her. 

Seeing my parents make prayer a daily ritual we try to inculcate this in the young too. 

 

Many years earlier we had put together a similar compilation of footage and interviews while she was around. 

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2021/01/13/when-little-valli-met-pandit-nehru-and-set-off-the-taiping-incident/

THE DIVINE WILL

As Agathiyar's annual fest or Aandhu Vizha that Agathiyar instructed us to carry out is just around the corner, I realized the reason he had us go within in 2019 after having brought us to his Siddha path in 2002 and elevating us from the path of Sariyai, by introducing us to Kriyai and reviving Yoga later. Today Agathiyar giving us the many sweet and bitter experiences, groomed us bringing us to the state of a Gnanam. 

Recently calling Mahin over to my home and sharing my thoughts about the need to leave behind something, Mahin interrupted asking me what did Bhagawan Ramana leave behind. Indeed he left nothing material behind but instead gave us wisdom-rich teachings that have been simplified by his disciple Sadhu Om in these songs. Today we truly understand the teachings of Bhagawan Ramana that have been beautifully expounded in the many songs of his disciple Sadhu Om beautifully set to music and sung by Sriram Parthasarathy at https://www.youtube.com/@SriramParthasarathyChannel . Each verse of the Sadhu resonates with the experiences we were gifted to uplift the Atma to stand aloof and watch. Indeed his songs are full of Gnanam. 

When Agathiyar came around asking each of us gathered around him during our regular puja, what he/she wanted, I never expected him to ask me too for I had nothing further to ask, seek, sought, or hold on to since he has given me everything a man needs in life. But yet he waited patiently on me. My brain went into high gear as I tried to come up with something. Finally, I told him I wanted to be born again and again and serve him as I did now. Just as Tavayogi would throw another question, he surprised me by asking if that was what I wanted. I knew that second that my asking was not right in his eyes. There was a long pause and moment of silence. Soon he moved on to other matters.

Later speaking to Mahin over the phone regarding this I told him maybe we should be asking for Gnanam as Tavayogi always told us reminding us to step out of Bakthi or devotion and temple worship. The next time he came around Agathiyar surprised me by telling me that I had asked for Gnanam. What! did he eavesdrop on my conversation with Mahin I asked myself. He went on to tell me that Gnanam was not something that he offered on a plate. Instead, that has to be acquired through experience. 

"நீ என்னிடம் கேட்டது ஞானம். ஞானம் என்பது நான் தருவதல்ல. நீ கற்பது. ஒருவன் தனக்குள் உள்வாங்கி அவனுள் பயணம் துவங்கும் நேரம் அப்பயணம் தரும் பாதிப்பே ஞானம். அவை ஒவ்வொருவருக்கும் மாற்றம் பெரும். ஆகையால் அவை நான் இதுதான் என்று சொல்ல இயலாது."

Agathiyar says of Gnanam, "Gnanam is not gifted but has to be earned and experienced. When one goes within, as the journey brings upon subtle experiences these shall translate into and become Gnanam. It defers to each person. As such I cannot possibly define it."

Ramalinga Adigal comes to affirm the same telling me it needs effort. The effort placed in going within brings new experiences quite unlike what we have seen in our daily lives. He charts the journey beautifully by posing several questions to us.

"உடல் கூறு தத்துவங்களைத் தெரிந்துகொண்டாயா? தேக மாற்றம் உணருகிறாயா? உன் உள் பயணத்தை அறிந்துகொண்டாயா? பிரணவத்தின் சக்தி உணருகிறாயா? உன் பிரணவத்தால் ஊடுகிறாயா? அல்லது பிரணவம் உன்னுள் ஊடுகிறதா?"

An understanding of the structure of the body is a prerequisite to an understanding of the inner journey The subtle experiences that result from bodily changes bring a new understanding of the inner journey. Becoming aware of the breath and its movement brings us to merge with the breath. Remaining in this state of bliss (இன்பத்தில் ஆழ்ந்து கொண்டுவா) we finally are ablaze in effulgence (உன்னுள் ஜோதி எரியும்).

Indeed if Gnanam could be translated as wisdom, experience gives us the wisdom to stay clear of many attractions and distractions lined up along the path. Experience tells us to move cautiously, work diligently, giving heart and soul to the task at hand so that we do not need to revisit these chores again to correct the flaws or put the missing pieces together. Experience teaches us to exhaust all our desires and wipe the slate clean returning to his kingdom in a pure and unadulterated form. This here and now is where we do all our laundry and put on fresh and clean clothes before having an audience with him when he calls us up. 

While wikipedia.org defines Gnanam as "Knowledge inseparable from the total experience of reality, especially a total or divine reality (Brahman), "Mother" explains it further, sharing her Gnanam.

Gnanam is the wisdom of the wise. Their experience gained on the path toward spiritual attainment becomes the essence and wisdom that is showered and given to seekers. The experience of the Gnanis, Yogis, Rishis, Munis, and Siddhas has come to us as wisdom. Their wisdom went into the scriptures. Their experiments become wisdom for ours. Their trials and errors in perfecting procedures and techniques became wisdom to beginners. All the research that went towards the discovery and understanding of life and its purpose and the various paths leading back to the source, has come to us as Gnanam. 

In simple terms, Gnana is the fruit of the guru's experience that the student partakes in. All the Anubhuthis, the Tiruarutpa, the Thevaram, and the Siddha songs are experiences of highly evolved souls that become Gnanam for us who would choose to venture on the path. What we consider as works of Gnanam or wisdom is in actual fact experiences of our saints. As Manickavasagar sings in the Sivapuranam, we take numerous births to gather the experience, evolving from the lowest to the highest of creation, Pon Govindasamy in his "Vallalaarum Brahma Gnana Sangamum", Bharath Book Bureau, Chennai, draws our attention to the same.

அணுக்களாகயிருந்த ஆன்மாக்கள், பூதவர்க்கங்களாக உருவெடுத்து பின் தாது வர்க்களாகமாக மாறி, பின் தாவர வர்கத்தையடைந்து, பின் விலங்கு வர்க்கத்தில் புகுந்து, பின் மானிட வர்க்கத்தில் ஜனனம் எடுத்து, இறுதியில் ஜீவன் முக்தர் வர்க்கத்தில் பரிபூரண தசையையடைகின்றன.

Tavayogi has many definitions of Gnanam. 

பிறப்பின் தொடக்கத்தைப் பிடித்து முடிவையும் அறிவதே ஞானம். ஆதி அந்தக் குறி தெரிவதுதான் ஞானம். ஞானம் அடைதல் என்றால் அறிவின் தெளிந்த நிலை. ஞாலத்தை அறிதல் ஞானம். உயிரானது பெரும் உண்மைத் தெளிவுதான் அறிவு அல்லது ஞானம். ஆத்ம அறிவின் தெளிவே ஞானம். ஞானமே கடவுள்.

In short, experience is wisdom. We are allowed to make mistakes, "Mother," says. The mistakes are a lesson for us but become Gnanam for others. Others learn from our mistakes. As the soul is on a journey of learning and gaining the experiences that it seeks, each birth then is a journey toward Gnanam. The whole purpose of taking birth then is to learn and experience and assimilate all the experiences and attain Gnanam. Finally, we will settle for the road back to our father's kingdom after having exhausted and seen all that needs to be seen. All births tuned towards spirituality are Gnana Pirappu. Exhausting all our desires or dropping them, placing concerted effort in removing the three impurities - Aanavam, Kanma, and Mayai with the aid and guidance of the guru, we become pure in nature and one with Erai. Having come through the cycles of birth and rebirth, we return to our father's kingdom finally in his image and nature.

I now understand why Ramalinga Adigal and later Agathiyar left me to fend for myself by not interfering when I pleaded for peace, silence, and sound sleep, all of which I had lost after the arrival of noisy neighbors. Just at that very moment when Agathiyar had me go within asking me to sleep in his puja room, the neighbors started to create a din throughout the day and night till the morning hours of dawn. I lost my peace, quiet, and sleep. The stench of animal poo that they reared added to my troubles. But it was all his play. Ramalinga Adigal told me that these would help bring me to the state of Gnanam. Agathiyar said that if I was to stay in the jungles away from people there would be many other forms of disturbances or Puluruvi as he terms it. They asked to bear with it. Mataji down the lane had once told me about the need to acquire Sagiputanmai or tolerance and acceptance. Supramania Swami once told my colleague who was visiting him in Tiruvannamalai that the noise and din that came from the motor workshop that had mushroomed overnight beside the kudil that we had helped put up for him did not bother him. Ramani Amma from Chennai who went through a series of suffering beginning with a brain hemorrhage, falling victim to Tuberculosis, and later being hit by a stroke all in the past 2 1/2 years survived these ordeals having faith in Agathiyar and all the Gods and Goddesses. She puts me to shame when she tells me that she told Agathiyar that he can play his game or Lila to his heart's content. On the local front, Shanti Amma left it to Agathiyar to deal with her physical pain and ordeals. When I lament and curse my guru and god for the disturbances in my life I began to ask myself who are these people who submit to the play of God. I realize that I had behaved like a child throwing tantrums at the slightest instigation that came my way. I am ashamed. I haven't grown up. True I am a spoilt kid. I failed to appreciate that Agathiyar has kept me healthy in these 63 years of existence. I failed to appreciate that Agathiyar has given me the wealth of teachings needed to sustain a meaningful life. 

If we could only take a stand as Sadhu Om did and watch the world go by peace shall be upon us. But instead, we get agitated with what takes place around us and the world reacting to tweets, messages, and news and blowing our tops. For instance, battles and warfares are not something new. Searching the net we come across hundreds of battles and wars fought in history in the name of acquiring more wealth and territories and acquiring the women that their heart desires. Neh it even goes way back to the times of the Puranas. Konganar is suposed to have seen 18 Bharatha wars. What I don't understand is when gurus and saints like Jesus, Ramalinga Adigal, and Buddha advocate love and compassion the gods who are the very symbol of love hearing the plea of their devotees took to arms to defeat the evil and reinstate them as something less harmful though. Who can possibly fathom the depth and mind and the Lilas of the divine? Who can understand the divine will? For one to have all these answers he would then be God himself, right? But even Agathiyar too does not divulge more than is necessary and even that comes neither sooner nor later but at the right moments when we are able to assimilate these teachings.

Looking back at the miseries and troubles the Nayanmars, Chitramuthu Adigal, Ramalinga Adigal, and Tavayogi faced and went through makes me think that ours is only a speck of dust. Mahin pointed out how children are oblivious to the dangers and the happenings around them, forgetting their hunger and pain just to enjoy that moment in the play. If only we could become children again. Indeed that is what the saints expect us to turn into - children. In Henry Wei's book "The Guiding Light of Lao Tzu, Synergy Books International, "Chuang Tzu asks us to imitate the sage who considers life a fleeting dream and death a rest; who does not scheme nor strive nor calculate and who sleeps without dreams and wakes up without worries; with his spirit ever pure and his soul always alert." There is a saying that the child and God are one, “Kuzhandaiyum deivamum gunathal ondru” that translated would mean “Children by virtue of their character are equivalent to God.” Henry Wei surprised me by mentioning the same in his book “The Guiding Light of Lao Tzu”, Synergy Books International. He writes that both Lao Tzu and Jesus consider reversion to the state of a child as necessary for salvation for entrance into the kingdom of heaven. In the eyes of Lao Tzu, “the infant with its pristine purity and innocence is the perfect symbol of Tao itself.” He goes on to say that one needs to bring tenderness in him or in other words the need to relax. This reminded me of Lord Muruga’s recent directive, telling me to relax, lay back and watch the world go by, only to move if required. 

Summarized in a statement, the Siddha path is a path of learning or rather relearning. The fruit of one's efforts toward spiritual attainment is Gnanam. One's learning is another's Gnanam.  The experiences of one well-traveled become Gnana for a new traveler. Hence the reason why Tavayogi rather than preach to me about the Siddhas and their world, took me along on a journey of discovery, exposing me to their travels, the paths they walked upon, taking me to their abodes, Samadhis, and caves, getting me to experience miracles, giving me their Darshan, and creating opportunities to gain Gnanam from the journey, returning wiser. In asking me to go within, though I could not meditate, these brief moments of solitude made me think of many matters and how I have tackled them. In these brief moments when I am with myself and my thoughts many pertinent truths dawn on me and these have bloomed into the many writings in this blog. This blog is a result of these moments sitting in the presence of oneself and God. In repeating Saint Nakirans asking for a moment to be with one's guru as my own prayer, Agathiyar has created the moment where the soul is in union with the divine, receiving the transmission of messages and energy in silence and quietude. In the brief moments of silence blooms Gnanam. We have reached our destination. We have come one cycle. We began on the path of Sariyai introduced by our parents and forefathers at home. Having gone on pilgrimages to numerous temples we took up the path of Kriyai or home or individual worship that includes Tavam (Austerities) and Aram (Charity) and later picked up Yogam from a guru or at an Ashram and finally settled back to the confines and comforts of our homes to secretly receive the divine transmission from God, falling into the state of Gnanam. The cycle closes with an understanding, confirming the understanding of our ancestors, that we are all a part of the bigger picture and each component is vital to the existence of all the rest. This realization is Gnanam. As the Chinese Ch’an master, Qingyuan Weixin famously wrote during the Tang Dynasty, 

“Before I had studied Ch’an for thirty years, I saw mountains as mountains and rivers as rivers. When I arrived at a more intimate knowledge, I came to the point where I saw that mountains are not mountains, and rivers are not rivers. But now that I have got its very substance, I am at rest. For it’s just that I see mountains once again as mountains, and rivers once again as rivers.” (Source: https://tricycle.org/magazine/first-there-mountain-then-there-no-mountain/),

"First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is. But now that I have got its very substance, I am at rest." How true. Tavayogi very aptly wrote the following when I asked him to autograph his book "Andamum Pindamum" - "Aandavan Uraigindra Edam Thangal Ullam, Athuve Payanathin Thodakkamum, Mudivum" when translated meant, "Erai lives in your heart, from where the journey starts and ends too." 

And so it is with this Prapanjam. We begin to understand the reason our ancestors respected each and every living thing and all of creation and took the trouble to preserve creation. They worshipped nature and the five elements. They worshipped trees, plants, and animals. They lived in harmony with the rest of creation. Our ancestors, each of them were, in fact, Gnanis in their own right. They were our gurus. The world is still in existence because of its vast contributions. We are here because of them too. We begin to respect our ancestors and the gurus too. In bringing us enlightenment on the nature of the Udal, Uyir, and Atma, Agathiyar has made us understand and accept everything as a piece of his nature, the Paramatma. We are linked and connected beyond flesh and blood as the Uyir and the Atma.

I guess language has split humanity with many championing that their language is superior and the oldest and challenging others. Listening to a cinema song just moments ago that I had heard numerous times it only dawned on me how true the lyricist in writing that "இயற்கையின் மொழிகள் புரிந்துவிடில் மனிதரின் மொழிகள் தேவையில்லை", has captured this matter beautifully. True enough nature does not speak but communicates through the breeze, and wind, being gentle at one moment and changing into extreme heat and cold, and at other times showing us who is the master with thunder and lightning, storm and flood, hurricanes, typhoons that send us seeking cover. Mahin observed this too mentioning that "There is no ego clash between nature but humans have it."

Similarly, Gnanam was packed into the teachings of Bhagawan Ramana which were brought to us in smaller packets that we could decipher and understand. But how was it that we missed these wonderful teachings all this while? The answers are all there before us. It crops up or rather comes to our attention when we seek or sought it not a moment sooner or later. Traveling to Bukit Rotan Tavayogi upon listening to the Thiruarutpa songs I played in the car told me that one can attain Gnanam by listening to it. Indeed Sadhu Om's songs too have done exactly that.

AGATHIYAR FEST

Agathiyar who started us on doing puja for the Siddhas or Siddhar Vazhipaadu through my first Nadi reading in 2002 and took us by the hand learning from Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of Kallar whom he sent to our shores in 2005 and had us conduct Siddhar Puja in Siddha friendly temples too in 2016 finally told us it was enough and had us go within in 2019. Having said that, he did remind us though to never forget to conduct his Aandu Vizha or Annual Fest which he reschedule to fall on Thaipusam day, moving away from the generally celebrated day of his Jayanthi coinciding with the star Ahilyam during the Tamil month of Margazhi. That day shall fall on this weekend 5 February 2023. We have planned for a bhajan and Satsang session that day. But let us wait and see what Agathiyar plans for us for he is known to change our plans. We are prepared to go with the flow.

A BRUSH WITH THE SIDDHAS

In coming to the path first we are told of our past deeds, the present life, and what to expect in the future all written and documented by the ancient Siddhas which over time had come down to a particular clan in South India who kept these transcripts written on dried palm leaves for generations, replacing damaged ones with new ones, and reproducing them anew. These are the palm leaves or olai suvadi of present times. 

Once the karma portion of our reading is revealed and appropriate action is taken on our part we can choose to proceed in the way of the Siddhas or their path if we chose to or if the Siddhas desire. If one chooses to travel further he is guided by more readings in the form of Aasi Nadi or Jeeva Nadi readings that are now real-time revelations. If we adhere sincerely to the directives the Siddhas begin to take our lives into their hands rather than have fate determine our destiny. We become their children and they begin to decide what is best for us. 

A new journey begins with our life rewritten. Henceforth if one were to surrender his destiny to the Siddhas his fate changes. He now lives solely for the Siddhas awaiting the mission and purpose that is revealed in good time. But he does not desert his family and shed his responsibilities to them and to society. He learns to live apart from them engaging only if and when required. For the rest of the time he does God's work. Each individual's life then is tailored to suit his environment and the people he comes across. If the need arises a gathering of like-minded souls comes together to carry out God's work further.

When his time is up he leaves happily letting go of all his responsibilities, attachments, and even merits gained in doing God's work. He leaves without a trace. He does not leave behind a following. He does not leave behind an institution. He leaves behind only his name.

Today what we know of the Siddhas is their names. All the literature on Siddhas would list their names and some stories associated with them. As Carl Sagan describes of a book, Steve Fitz writes at https://baos.pub/ 

"The renowned scientist, astronomer, and author, Carl Sagan, certainly saw books as magic. In his television series called Cosmos, he makes us think about books in a new light with this poetical description:

“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.”

Similarly, when we read their texts or sing their songs we enter the mind of the Siddhas who have merged in light. Across Yugas, the Siddha is now clearly speaking to us directly with us inside our heads. Their text and their songs bind us together with Siddhas we never knew who lived in distant epochs. As Carl Sagan says their works then break the shackle of time. Reading the Thiruarutpa of Ramalinga Adigal one is transported into the mind of the saint who lived some 200 years ago and begins to experience the very experience he went through. These Godly experiences are made available to us too easily. Rather than walking the physical path and reliving what is written, we gain the same through a reading of these texts and songs. Many have been drawn to live the lives of these saints after reading their works.

And so too in coming to the path of the Siddhas we are given a long list of names of the Siddhas. We get to know them first. We sing praises to them and cherish their achievements. Slowly we tune ourselves to the ways of the Siddhas. They then come in numerous forms and guide us further. Eventually, the need for such external stimuli or tools is dropped as they begin to come within us and inspire and drive us further. Their very energy lives in us and is shared with others who come into their space. The energies are brushed off onto them too, provided there are takers.

WHEN GOD COMES WITHIN

Looking back now Tavayogi did not teach me much per se but instead helped bring me the blessings of the Siddhas. Rather than have me sit at his feet and deploy the means to salvation he brought me on a journey visiting the jungles, and the abodes and caves where the Siddhas roamed and meditated once. Now I understand that this was indeed a quicker means of reaching the destination. All the saints have sung of the need for God's grace or Arul. He brought it down in torrents on me. This reminds me of the time I reported for my new job in a new town away from home after my studies. My father wrote a short note and asked me to pass it on to someone in the Chettiar community in the town I was to work in. Indeed that note carried much weight as I was allowed to stay for several nights in their Kithangi or place of business in this small town of Sitiawan. That piece of paper introduced me as one of their "kind" and I was allowed to stay for several nights until I moved in into the quarters my employer provided us. 

Similarly, I guess Tavayogi too must have passed a note to the Siddhas for they have accepted me into their community. I am grateful to him for taking me on a shortcut to freedom. In the beginning, when we went for our Kaanda Nadi reading we were told by the Nadi readers that Agathiyar had written about us in the past and the calling had come only then for us to read the Nadi and know about our past, present, and future so that we could take hold of our lives that would otherwise continue to be mundane. The Siddhas showed us a purpose in living apart from the norm and carrying out the usual responsibilities. Reading the Jeeva Nadi or transmission of messages in real-time in later years, Agathiyar used to tell us that he has arrived to address us coming for instance from Kailash, Pothigai, or Kallar. These days he is so near and close that we do not realize that he is speaking to us through others until he introduces himself. True to what he told a devotee he is felt as a Unarvu and an Athirvu, he comes as energy in a split second that traverses throughout the physical body bringing on a vibration that leads to a feeling and sensation of immense joy and bliss that begins to radiate out and reach towards others. Just as sound and light set off a vibration that radiates out changing the existing frequencies, the entire surrounding is electrified.

As the subjects live in the King's state, we live in God's world. Sariyai then is the start of getting God to turn and look toward us. So I understand now that there was nothing wrong when the priests at the temple lectured us about beginning our feeding session only after the Nitya or daily puja was done for the Goddess as she would then get to see what we were doing. This message was for the commoner in the path of Sariyai. For one who has begun to see God in everything he moves on without ridiculing or shaming other's beliefs and practices. 

Riding by the street in his chariot the King sees us as he sees all others. But just as he notices something outstanding among his subjects and visits his home or the subject is summoned to his royal chamber, when the guru points to a particular person and briefs God on his yearning and determination to see him, God's gaze falls on him. That is Guru Arul or the grace of the Guru who brings God's attention to us rather than have us work long hours to get his attention through Sariyai. This indeed is a faster route shown by the guru that comes with recommendations. The seeker and God connect. The Kriyas learned under the tutelage of the guru resonate within one in joy and bliss that is the nature of God too. 

Continuing under the watchful eyes of the guru, the seeker's physical body is broken down and rebuilt through Yoga. His other bodies come to light and literally light up. If God came to visit his humble home earlier in Kriyai after we frequented his home or temple in Sariyai, he now comes to stay within us. He remains silent and invisible until the need to move arises. God then takes over our thought, speech, and our gestures. From coming alive in the pages of the Nadi today he comes alive in these devotees. The love and compassion that emanate from the Siddhas cannot be described.