THE UNITIVE WAY

If Paramahansa Yogananda introduced to me the existence of Godmen through his autobiography, "An Autobiography of A Yogi", Supramania Swami of Tiruvannamalai introduced me to his lineage of gurus and their worship that included Pundi Mahan, Yogi Ramsuratkumar, Kollimalai Siddhar, Sri Santhanatha Swamigal and his own father Jayaram Pillai. If I went looking for my guru Supramania Swami on the pretext of charting my second daughter's horoscope, a leaflet carrying Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of Kallar Ashram name given to me three years earlier at my very first Nadi reading, brought me to meet him on our shores in 2005. He showed me another facet of Agathiyar that of Erai or God.  Agathiyar walked across into our homes from the realm of the Siddhas when the rituals associated with Siddha worship shown by Tavayogi that we carried out bridged both heaven and earth. After the initial reading of the Kaanda Nadi that was supposedly written ages ago, Agathiyar came through the Aasi Kaandam that carried his blessings and teachings. Interspersed with these regular Aasi readings he spoke through the Jeeva Nadi occasionally which is delivered in real time too. He stood as the unseen guru beside my gurus in the physical form, Supramania Swami and Tavayogi. Besides these forms of communication, he began to speak through devotees delivering advice, and practices, and also carrying out healing. Telling us that he would not come during the recent Guru Purnima he did come eventually for us to carry out our 60th Wedding and to heal a child who was a victim of a freak bike mishap. That is the soul of Agathiyar. Compassionate and loving, kind and gentle, but stern and truthful. These are the many facets of Agathiyar.

Now that we are bound for the Unitive Way that comes at the tail end of the Journey, it is interesting to learn what those who have previously traveled this phase have to say. Asking Agathiyar to guide us further on this as he had done all these years shifting us through the earlier phases, he replied that it shall all dawn from within in good time.

The Journey on the Unitive Way is where we see results. The transformation takes place rapidly without our doing. The Divine gifts us a body that can sustain his majestic presence. He personally sees through the necessary transformation to become him. Ramalinga Adigal affirms that the most impure body will become a body pure and imperishable. 

"The material body constituted of impure elements is transformed into a “Body of Pure Light” that emits a golden brightness. Then the Divinity descends and settles in the disciple's Heart, who becomes entirely filled by Him. Captivated by the "Ardent Fire" of the Divine Essence, the disciple stops thinking, feeling, acting, and even existing. He has become pure Love and Compassion, and this is what he spills on all the beings." (Source: http://www.ramalinga.com)

One crosses "the threshold of the Unitive Way where God with name and form will disappear and ultimately the worshiper and the worshiped, the seeker and the sought, the soul and the Godhead, will merge into each other. Our Swaamikal is now ready for the highest of all possible acts of grace, the crowning glory of the long years of thavam. The conferment of the Effulgence of Grace. The Lord, out of His munificent grace, bestowed on our Swaamikal the very power by which He exercised sovereignty over all the worlds. That power is the Great Effulgence of Grace." (Source: G.Vanmikanathan in his "Pathway to God Trod by Saint Ramalingar", Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay.)

"Divine Grace is a manifestation of the cosmic free will in operation. It can alter the course of events in a mysterious manner through its own unknown laws, which are superior to all natural laws and can modify the latter by interaction. It is the most powerful force in the universe. It descends and acts only when it is invoked by total self-surrender. It acts from within because God resides in the Heart of all beings. Its whisper can be heard only in a mind purified by self-surrender and prayer. It is a descent of God into the soul’s zone of awareness. It is a visitation of force unexpected and unpredictable. It is a voice spoken out of cosmic silence - It is ‘Cosmic Will which can perform authentic miracles under its own laws". (Source: Paul Brunton, ‘Divine Grace Through Total Self-Surrender’ by D.C. Desai)

"Discrimination of the Real from the unreal is the keynote of the journey on the Purgative Way; the travel from darkness to Light is the journey on the Illuminative Way; the resurrection from death to a life of deathlessness, to Amritvam, is the journey on the Unitive Way." (Source: "Makers of Indian Literature - Ramalingar" by G.Vanmikanathan, published by Sahitya Akademi.) 

Tavayogi had already spoken to me on many matters pertinent to this journey casually as we walked together or sat together. However, I did not understand nor could I relate them to the inner journeys that he actually meant. Today after staying on the path for some 22 years it all dawns on me. His messages get across now as we experience what he went through, saw, and felt.  So too did Agathiyar have me deliver a message to all those gathered last Guru Purnima. It was the Journey both external and internal simplified in simple terms for us to understand and follow. He had me write it down a few days earlier exactly as his words came to me and read it out on Guru Purnima.

"Who is Agathiyan? You are. I am. True. We all are Agathiyan. The Jothi or flame in us is Agathiyan. He resides as the fire, flame, heat, and warmth in us. He is Esan. He is the Esan who resides within. Why is it that we do not realize nor feel him? It is because we have not attained the state of preparedness or readiness to realize him. Once our soul attains this state, we shall begin to realize him. How can we attain this state of preparedness? First, we have to travel this path. We need to travel to the places and abodes of the Siddhas, witness their miracles, enter the states of bliss, and bring back these feelings and work on them, nurturing them. The Siddha shall come down. When we follow their directives they shall walk with us holding our hands. This travel then shall not be that of an external but of an internal journey. Yoga is the key to this travel within. From Sariyai arriving at Kriyai, now they shall teach Yogam. The journey within shall begin. You shall witness happenings. You shall see many things. It would be puzzling to you. It would be new to you too. Continuing this internal journey, you shall arrive at each Chakra and eventually see the cosmic dance of Thillai in Sahasrara. A 1000-petaled flower will keep on opening up continuously. Arutjothi will come to reside here. Then its effulgence enters within, and just as how the Kundalini upon awakening traverses each Chakra purifying them, this effulgence brings on the shine and luminosity in them. Jothi Darisanam takes place where one sees the light or effulgence. The body takes on the same. Vibrations begin to emit within and around us and are felt by those tuned to receive and feel around us. They shall follow you. You become a Jeeva Mukta, having attained Mukti while living in the flesh. Henceforth you are no different from Agathiyan and Agathiyan is no different from you. You are me and I am you."

யார் அகத்தியன்? நீ அகத்தியன். நான் அகத்தியன். உண்மை. நாம் எல்லோரும் அகத்தியன். நம் உள் உள்ள ஜோதி அகத்தியன். அவர் அகத்துள் உறையும் தீ அகத்தியன். அவர் ஈசன். அவர் அகத்துள் உறையும் ஈசன். ஏன் நாம் அவரை உணர்வதில்லை? ஏன் நாம் இதனை உணர்வதில்லை? நாம் பக்குவம் அடையவில்லை. நாம் ஆத்மா பக்குவம் அடைந்தால் நாம் இதனை உணர்வோம். நாம் எப்படி பக்குவம் அடைவது? முதலில் இந்த பாதையில் பயணிக்க வேண்டும். சித்தர்கள் வாசம் செய்யும் இடங்களுக்குச்  சென்று, பல அற்புதங்களைக் கண்டு மகிழ்ந்து, உணர்ந்து, பின்னர் அவ் உணர்வுடன் இல்லம் திரும்பி, அவர்களை நினைத்து நினைத்து உருகிப் பூஜிக்க வேண்டும். சித்தன் இறங்கி வருவான். பின் அவன் கட்டளைக்கு ஏற்ப நடந்து வந்தால் விரைவில் அவன் உங்கள் கரங்களை பிடித்து கொண்டு பயணிப்பான். இப் பயணம் வெளி பயணம் அன்று உள் பயணம் ஆகும். உள் பயணத்திற்குத் திறவுகோல் யோகம். சரியையிலிருந்து கிரியைக்கு வந்த பின்னர் இப்போது யோகம் பயிற்றுவிப்பான். அப்போது உள் பயணம் ஏற்படும். பல நிகழ்வினை காண்பீர். பலதும் உணர்வீர். புதிராகவும் இருக்கும். புதியதுவாகவும் இருக்கும். இவ் உள் பயணதைத்  தொடர்ந்து வந்தால் ஒவ்வொரு சக்கரமாகச் சென்று அடைந்து பின் இறுதியில் சஹஸ்ராரவில் தில்லை நடனத்தைக் காணலாம். எந் நேரமும் அங்கு ஆயிரம் தாழ் மலர் ஒன்று விரிந்து கொண்டே செல்லும். அருட்சோதி அங்கு வந்து உறையும். பின் அதன் பிரகாசம் உள் சென்று எப்படி குண்டலினி ஒவ்வொரு சக்கரமாக மேலே சென்றதோ சென்று கழிவுகளை விளக்கி தூய்மை செய்ததுவோ அதுபோல் அருட்சோதி கீழ்ச்சென்று ஒவ்வொரு சக்கரமும் பிரகாசிக்கச் செய்யும். ஜோதி தரிசனம் கிட்டும். உடல் ஜோதி பிழம்பாக திகழும். உடல் பிரகாசிக்கும். உடலில் இருந்து அதிர்வுகள் நீண்டு உங்களைச் சூழ்ந்து மற்றவர்களைத் தாக்கும். பலர் இதனை உணரக் கூடும். பக்குவம் அடைந்தவர்கள் புரிந்து கொண்டு பின் தொடர்வார். அப்போது நீ ஜீவ முக்தன் ஆகிவிடுவாய். உனது ஜீவன் முக்தி அடைந்து விட்டது. பின் நீ வேறு அகத்தியன் வேறு அல்ல. நீயே நானாய் நானே நீயாய் திகழ்வோம்.  

 

THE JOURNEY

What a wonderful journey it has been. Agathiyar too says the same about this journey. Its culmination is in the 60th wedding conducted by Agathiyar recently on Guru Purnima. Now we have to embark on another phase, the second phase of the journey says Agathiyar. From following our desires and doing our stuff Agathiyar brought us to carry out his desires. He had us drop our desires and replace them with his work. Soon he had us even drop his work too and let go. He had us drop "charity and duty, ceremonious and music" as in the words of Yen Hui too. Henry Wei in his book "The Guiding Light of Lao Tzu, Synergy Books International. Henry Wei tells us the story derived from Chuang Tzu regarding Yen Hui and his master Confucius.

When Confucius enquired of his student as to how he was doing, Yen Hui replied, "I am getting on."

"How so?" asked the master. His student replied, "I have got rid of charity and duty."

"Very good" acknowledged the master but quickly added, "But not quite perfect."

Meeting again after some time, the student answers a similar question from Confucious, saying "I got rid of ceremonious and music" to which Confucious says "Very good but still not quite perfect."

On another day the student replies that "I can forget myself while sitting." This time Confucious asked, "What do you mean?" Yen Hui replied "I have freed myself from my body. I have discarded my reasoning powers. By thus getting rid of my body and my mind, I have become one with the Infinite."

Confucious immediately tells his student that he wishes to be allowed to follow in his steps. Yen Hui emptied himself of himself which is the height of purgation necessary for the mystic attainment of Tao or ultimate reality writes Henry Wei. This is the Purgative Way spoken about by Lao Tzu and Ramalinga Adigal too. In showing us to "Reduce and reduce", Yen Hui emptied himself of himself which is the height of purgation necessary for the mystic attainment of Tao or ultimate reality. 

If Henry Wei writes "The (Purgative) process involves tremendous sacrifice from the worldly standpoint not only the abandonment of one's habitual way of life but also the termination of many human ties", G. Valmikanathan writes that "One purges oneself of all desires and attachments, of all imperfections, of all acts of commission and omission of shortcomings in renunciation, of shortcomings in the total love of God in the passion for the apprehension of the Godhead."

"A calm and detached attitude towards the vicissitudes of life will prepare one for mystic meditation," say Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu, writes Henry Wei.

Having filled us in by coming to us and speaking on it after we had gone through the much-needed experiences that he gave, he ended the first phase with a gift, the 60th wedding, telling us that it was a reward for carrying him in our hearts. Agathiyar now asked us to prepare to enter the next phase that of the Illuminative Way. Asking him to guide us further, as he had done all these years, he told me it would dawn from within. The guru within, Agathiyar, the Self, the Soul, the Atma shall reveal it in good time. 

G. Valmikanathan writes of the next phase, the Illuminative Way in his book "Makers of Indian Literature - Ramalingam", published by Sahitya Akademi (e-book at http://www.vallalar.org) as that part of the path, that comes after the Purgative Way, and in which one gains illumination, knowledge, and gnosis (Gnanam). G Vanmikanathan writes, "Swaamikal gives expression to his amazement at the manner in which God entered his mind and took abode therein. Maanikkavaachakar too is oftentimes lost in wonderment at his good fortune in the Lord vouchsafing him a grace denied to others." 

The final phase, the Unitive Way, that of "galloping towards the beckoning smile and the outstretched arms to be locked in an eternal embrace with the beloved, the eternal being, the Godhead, the ground of all being" will follow suit. Henry Wei quotes Rabindranath Tagore on this mystic union, "The Paramatman, the supreme soul, has himself chosen this soul of ours as his bride and the marriage has been completed." Ramalinga Adigal composes a beautiful song about how his Lord had told him to prepare for this bridal marriage or mystic union an hour before the event takes place.

மணம்புரி கடிகை இரண்டரை எனும் ஓர்

வரையுள தாதலால் மகனே

எணம்புரிந் துழலேல் சவுளம்ஆ தியசெய்

தெழில்உறு மங்கலம் புனைந்தே

குணம்புரிந் தெமது மகன் எனும் குறிப்பைக்

கோலத்தால் காட்டுக எனவே

வணம்புரி மணிமா மன்றில் என் தந்தை

வாய் மலர்ந் தருளினர் மகிழ்ந்தே.

More verses at http://www.thiruarutpa.org/thirumurai/v/T338/tm/peerataivu

G Vanmikanathan in his "Pathway to God Trod By Saint Ramalingar" writes of this song, "In  intimate terms  of bridal  mysticism  our  Swaamikal  pleads  for union." Elsewhere he sings “This is the moment, this is the right moment for uniting with me”

The Journey on the Unitive Way is where we see results. The transformation takes place rapidly without our doing. The Divine gifts us a body that can sustain his majestic presence. He personally sees through the necessary transformation to become him. Ramalinga Adigal affirms that the most impure body will become a body pure and imperishable. 

Henri Wei sums up beautifully, "In all these, man is understood as being capable of attaining union with the mysterious cosmic influence or cosmic spirit or divine being." This is what Agathiyar pointed out to the devotees gathered for our 60th wedding too. Days before he had given me the script and on what to speak that day.

"Who is Agathiyan? You are. I am. True. We all are Agathiyan. The Jothi or flame in us is Agathiyan. He resides as the fire, flame, heat, and warmth in us. He is Esan. He is the Esan who resides within. Why is it that we do not realize nor feel him? It is because we have not attained the state of preparedness or readiness to realize him. Once our soul attains this state, we shall begin to realize him. How can we attain this state of preparedness? First, we have to travel this path. We need to travel to the places and abodes of the Siddhas, witness their miracles, enter the states of bliss, and bring back these feelings and work on them, nurturing them. The Siddha shall come down. When we follow their directives they shall walk with us holding our hands. This travel then shall not be that of an external but of an internal journey. Yoga is the key to this travel within. From Sariyai arriving at Kriyai, now they shall teach Yogam. The journey within shall begin. You shall witness happenings. You shall see many things. It would be puzzling to you. It would be new to you too. Continuing this internal journey, you shall arrive at each Chakra and eventually see the cosmic dance of Thillai in Sahasrara. A 1000-petaled flower will keep on opening up continuously. Arutjothi will come to reside here. Then its effulgence enters within, and just as how the Kundalini upon awakening traverses each Chakra purifying them, this effulgence brings on the shine and luminosity in them. Jothi Darisanam takes place where one sees the light or effulgence. The body takes on the same. Vibrations begin to emit within and around us and are felt by those tuned to receive and feel around us. They shall follow you. You become a Jeeva Mukta, having attained Mukti while living in the flesh. Henceforth you are no different from Agathiyan and Agathiyan is no different from you. You are me and I am you."

 

"யார் அகத்தியன்? நீ அகத்தியன். நான் அகத்தியன். உண்மை. நாம் எல்லோரும் அகத்தியன். நம் உள் உள்ள ஜோதி அகத்தியன். அவர் அகத்துள் உறையும் தீ அகத்தியன். அவர் ஈசன். அவர் அகத்துள் உறையும் ஈசன். ஏன் நாம் அவரை உணர்வதில்லை? ஏன் நாம் இதனை உணர்வதில்லை? நாம் பக்குவம் அடையவில்லை. நாம் ஆத்மா பக்குவம் அடைந்தால் நாம் இதனை உணர்வோம். நாம் எப்படி பக்குவம் அடைவது? முதலில் இந்த பாதையில் பயணிக்க வேண்டும். சித்தர்கள் வாசம் செய்யும் இடங்களுக்குச்  சென்று, பல அற்புதங்களைக் கண்டு மகிழ்ந்து, உணர்ந்து, பின்னர் அவ் உணர்வுடன் இல்லம் திரும்பி, அவர்களை நினைத்து நினைத்து உருகிப் பூஜிக்க வேண்டும். சித்தன் இறங்கி வருவான். பின் அவன் கட்டளைக்கு ஏற்ப நடந்து வந்தால் விரைவில் அவன் உங்கள் கரங்களை பிடித்து கொண்டு பயணிப்பான். இப் பயணம் வெளி பயணம் அன்று உள் பயணம் ஆகும். உள் பயணத்திற்குத் திறவுகோல் யோகம். சரியையிலிருந்து கிரியைக்கு வந்த பின்னர் இப்போது யோகம் பயிற்றுவிப்பான். அப்போது உள் பயணம் ஏற்படும். பல நிகழ்வினை காண்பீர். பலதும் உணர்வீர். புதிராகவும் இருக்கும். புதியதுவாகவும் இருக்கும். இவ் உள் பயணதைத்  தொடர்ந்து வந்தால் ஒவ்வொரு சக்கரமாகச் சென்று அடைந்து பின் இறுதியில் சஹஸ்ராரவில் தில்லை நடனத்தைக் காணலாம். எந் நேரமும் அங்கு ஆயிரம் தாழ் மலர் ஒன்று விரிந்து கொண்டே செல்லும். அருட்சோதி அங்கு வந்து உறையும். பின் அதன் பிரகாசம் உள் சென்று எப்படி குண்டலினி ஒவ்வொரு சக்கரமாக மேலே சென்றதோ சென்று கழிவுகளை விளக்கி தூய்மை செய்ததுவோ அதுபோல் அருட்சோதி கீழ்ச்சென்று ஒவ்வொரு சக்கரமும் பிரகாசிக்கச் செய்யும். ஜோதி தரிசனம் கிட்டும். உடல் ஜோதி பிழம்பாக திகழும். உடல் பிரகாசிக்கும். உடலில் இருந்து அதிர்வுகள் நீண்டு உங்களைச் சூழ்ந்து மற்றவர்களைத் தாக்கும். பலர் இதனை உணரக் கூடும். பக்குவம் அடைந்தவர்கள் புரிந்து கொண்டு பின் தொடர்வார். அப்போது நீ ஜீவ முக்தன் ஆகிவிடுவாய். உனது ஜீவன் முக்தி அடைந்து விட்டது. பின் நீ வேறு அகத்தியன் வேறு அல்ல. நீயே நானாய் நானே நீயாய் திகழ்வோம்." 

 

THE GURU WITHIN

The Self is the teacher. Agathiyar sends gurus in the physical form to start off our journey to know the Self. If I was brought to Supramania Swami by Agathiyar, he brought Tavayogi to me later. After their demise, he came personally through others and finally arrived as the Self to teach from within. He says it shall dawn from within. All knowledge is in the Self for it has been in existence since time immemorial. He tells me that our relationship spans crores of years though we have no memory of it. He came to jolt our memory. He has known me all this while he says. As I complete a cycle of 60 years with the 60th marriage marking it, the next phase of the journey, he tells me will be that of recognizing him as the Self. The next phase of 60 years if I live to see it through shall hold mysteries that are not spoken of. Only the saints have been there and returned to give a glimpse and insight. It is only for those who can and have broken their hold on everything material, shredded their thoughts, perspectives, and opinions, and dropped previous learnings for the actual experiences that are placed on the path or blossoms from underneath each step we take as we walk the path. 

Most of us are stuck with the external guru and never progress further. The reason is that the guru does not help us shed our hold on him and have us move along venturing to know our true selves. They trap their students and the students are held captives. Once the guru passes away they are lost sheep without a herder. 

Supramania Swami did not hold on to me or have me hold on to him. When on my second visit I shared what Agathiyar had revealed in my Nadi about Tavayogi being my guru and that I was directed to spend a couple of days at Tavayogi's ashram, he obliged me and sent me off to Kallar ashram packing some blankets for my stay in the Nilagiri hills. Upon returning to him after my stay and travels with Tavayogi he enquired about the health of my guru. Which guru would do that in an age where gurus too have become possessive and cannot let go of material wants and followers?

Tavayogi too broke my hold on him even before it could flower stopping me from coming to "worship" him rather than Agathiyar. When I showed my appreciation and joy in having him over at my house for the very first time, he shot it down telling me that I was living in Maya a state of illusion and delusion. He was not God he reinstated and asked that I hold on to Agathiyar. 

Later at his ashram, he had me drop any attachment to the Rudraksha bead even before it arose. He had me drop the attachment to the Navarathna ring and the Rasamani bead I wore on me too telling me "we" do not need them. I am surprised he took me in as one of his even before my journey began. 

I am grateful to these two gurus who made it easy for me to let go for instance when Agathiyar had me dissolve the AVM group in 2019, which he had worked hard to initiate and sustain over the years since 2013. He had me let go of my previous readings, learnings, and understanding for updated versions that kept with time and progress, shedding the age-old traditions and customs that keep us trapped forever. He revolutionized the methods for younger generations and current times. He freed the soul that was trapped in society. He made a leader of us rather than a follower after giving us the tools and the skills to create a new path for ourselves, after traveling the well-beaten path. He allowed us to improvise, change, and modify all things to suit the temperament and nature of his devotees. Nothing was cast in stone. Even if it was he did the unexpected as he opened his eyes in the granite statue of his at Agasthiyampalli and Papanasam in 2005  and later in 2013 in his bronze statue at AVM.

It is pretty obvious then that there are only two kinds of people: those who follow and those who lead. Which group are you in?

60th Wedding

Agathiyar Speaks on Weddings

On 17 and 18 February 2024, Agathiyar came to speak to us. He spoke about the need to appreciate this wonderful world that he has given us. He asked that we appreciate each moment and the miracles taking place from moment to moment. He asked what was he to do further to make people believe, pointing to my hair that was turning black. He then threw a suggestion if we should celebrate my 60th wedding day. It is a tradition that when the male partner attains the age of 60, a ritual and ceremony is conducted just as it was done when they got married in the first place. As I told him that I was way past 60, as I am 65 this year, citing that we should stand out as role models to the younger generations, Agathiyar issued it as a directive. He had us carry it out during the Purnima Puja last Sunday. As he said it is a day to be truly remembered. We thank him from the heart. Just as Lord Shiva directed Agathiyar who had returned from performing Tapas and Tavam, austerities and practices, to take on a wife, Agathiyar has us perform this ceremony, with him standing in as the Purohita, directing us what to do. The day was so perfect and completely satisfying with the family and a handful of AVM members arriving to join us in the celebrations. 

GURU PURNIMA 2024 PUJA

 

In bringing us his Guru Purnima message Agathiyar paves the path for us to explore and return to him. He has simplified the journey in terms that we could grasp and travel along. In asking us who is Agathiyan? he says that we are him. He does not sit as a master or Lord presiding over his subjects, dictating and ruling. Now I understand why he asked me if that was what I desired when he came around asking each of us gathered at AVM what we wanted. I knew at that moment that this was not the ultimate. As I had nothing to ask but as he stood waiting I thought taking further births and coming back to serve him would be the thing to ask. He now reveals the ultimate in this travel - to become him or rather to return to his state, the state of a Siddha. When he says that we all are Agathiyan, he is implying as Buddha did that we are all Buddhas. It is just that we are not aware of our present state. In telling me that we had known each other for ages and that I had slowly gained and accumulated Gnanam he says that he had stood by in this journey of self-discovery having us learn from the experiences gained in this time. 

In distinguishing himself as the Jothi or flame among others, he tells us that we are alive due to his presence in us as the fire, flame, heat, and warmth in us, giving life, mobility, and sustenance.

In proclaiming himself as Esan residing in us, he asserts himself as the indwelling Lord and Atma. 

If we are this close as the nail and the thumb, he asked us then why is it that we do not realize nor feel him? He has the answer for that too. It is because we have not attained the state of preparedness or readiness to realize him. We are so cooked up in these worldly affairs, either basking in the sun, boiling in the pan, or cooking over the fire, either happy or suffering or in pain. We are preoccupied with our desires or wants, or caught or tangled in the web that we have created for ourselves. Once battered and brawled over, torn and shredded we step outside to find some time to recover. He says that once our soul attains this preparedness, we shall realize him as we turn a new leaf. The soul comes to show us the way out of this mess that we created, for he was with us all this while as a witness and the Watcher. Or rather we are It. The soul either brings us to a guru in the physical form or turns guru and leads us on. It charts and paves the path henceforth. 

What is this path like that we need to take or travel on which prepares us? It is the path of the Siddhas. Of course, Agathiyar would only show the path he had traveled to attain his present state. He told me in the Nadi, in giving me practices and tips, that he was only sharing what they had done, seen, and realized in these practices. It all begins with knowing the Siddhas and traveling to their places and abodes, witnessing the miracles, entering the states of bliss, and not forgetting to bring back these feelings and work on them further, nurturing these experiences, and keeping the flame alive and burning by nurturing it in our homes and our hearts. 

Then Agathiyar says that the Siddha shall come down. If we had gone looking for them earlier, now they come down from their abode into our homes and hearts and lives. The soul becomes enlightened of its potential and its state and takes the dive. When we follow their directives or that of the soul, they shall walk with us holding our hands. Just as Tavayogi told me "Only now the true journey begins, my son," as we left for the caves and the jungles to explore the Siddhas, now another journey begins that of exploring within us. This travel shall not be that of an external but of an internal journey. Yoga is the key to this travel within. 

From Sariyai arriving at Kriyai, now they teach us Yogam. The journey within begins initially necessitating our efforts but soon the energies explored will take the rein and lead us on. All we need to do is watch as Agathiyar told me. We shall stand witness to many unexplained mysteries and happenings. We shall encounter and see many things. It would be puzzling to us. It would be new to us too. Continuing this internal journey, we shall arrive at each Chakra and eventually see the cosmic dance of Thillai in Sahasrara, says Agathiyar. A 1000-petaled flower will keep on opening up continuously as in the ripple in the waters. Arutjothi will come to reside here. The divine energy and its effulgence enter within. Just as how the Kundalini upon awakening and making its way up, traverses each Chakra purifying them, this effulgence travels down a similar and known path and brings on the shine and luminosity in these Chakras. Jothi Darisanam takes place where one sees the Light or Effulgence. The body takes on the same. Vibrations begin to emit within and around us and are felt by those tuned to receive and feel around us. They shall in turn follow us wanting a taste of it too. We attain the state of a Jeeva Mukta, one who has attained Mukti while living in the flesh. Henceforth we are no different from Agathiyan and Agathiyan is no different from us. Agathiyar proclaims, "You are me and I am you." 

"யார் அகத்தியன்? நீ அகத்தியன். நான் அகத்தியன். உண்மை. நாம் எல்லோரும் அகத்தியன். நம் உள் உள்ள ஜோதி அகத்தியன். அவர் அகத்துள் உறையும் தீ அகத்தியன். அவர் ஈசன். அவர் அகத்துள் உறையும் ஈசன். ஏன் நாம் அவரை உணர்வதில்லை? ஏன் நாம் இதனை உணர்வதில்லை? நாம் பக்குவம் அடையவில்லை. நாம் ஆத்மா பக்குவம் அடைந்தால் நாம் இதனை உணர்வோம். நாம் எப்படி பக்குவம் அடைவது? முதலில் இந்த பாதையில் பயணிக்க வேண்டும். சித்தர்கள் வாசம் செய்யும் இடங்களுக்குச்  சென்று, பல அற்புதங்களைக் கண்டு மகிழ்ந்து, உணர்ந்து, பின்னர் அவ் உணர்வுடன் இல்லம் திரும்பி, அவர்களை நினைத்து நினைத்து உருகிப் பூஜிக்க வேண்டும். சித்தன் இறங்கி வருவான். பின் அவன் கட்டளைக்கு ஏற்ப நடந்து வந்தால் விரைவில் அவன் உங்கள் கரங்களை பிடித்து கொண்டு பயணிப்பான். இப் பயணம் வெளி பயணம் அன்று உள் பயணம் ஆகும். உள் பயணத்திற்குத் திறவுகோல் யோகம். சரியையிலிருந்து கிரியைக்கு வந்த பின்னர் இப்போது யோகம் பயிற்றுவிப்பான். அப்போது உள் பயணம் ஏற்படும். பல நிகழ்வினை காண்பீர். பலதும் உணர்வீர். புதிராகவும் இருக்கும். புதியதுவாகவும் இருக்கும். இவ் உள் பயணதைத்  தொடர்ந்து வந்தால் ஒவ்வொரு சக்கரமாகச் சென்று அடைந்து பின் இறுதியில் சஹஸ்ராரவில் தில்லை நடனத்தைக் காணலாம். எந் நேரமும் அங்கு ஆயிரம் தாழ் மலர் ஒன்று விரிந்து கொண்டே செல்லும். அருட்சோதி அங்கு வந்து உறையும். பின் அதன் பிரகாசம் உள் சென்று எப்படி குண்டலினி ஒவ்வொரு சக்கரமாக மேலே சென்றதோ சென்று கழிவுகளை விளக்கி தூய்மை செய்ததுவோ அதுபோல் அருட்சோதி கீழ்ச்சென்று ஒவ்வொரு சக்கரமும் பிரகாசிக்கச் செய்யும். ஜோதி தரிசனம் கிட்டும். உடல் ஜோதி பிழம்பாக திகழும். உடல் பிரகாசிக்கும். உடலில் இருந்து அதிர்வுகள் நீண்டு உங்களைச் சூழ்ந்து மற்றவர்களைத் தாக்கும். பலர் இதனை உணரக் கூடும். பக்குவம் அடைந்தவர்கள் புரிந்து கொண்டு பின் தொடர்வார். அப்போது நீ ஜீவ முக்தன் ஆகிவிடுவாய். உனது ஜீவன் முக்தி அடைந்து விட்டது. பின் நீ வேறு அகத்தியன் வேறு அல்ல. நீயே நானாய் நானே நீயாய் திகழ்வோம்."

THE MESSAGE FOR GURU PURNIMA 2024

It was a day of happening. Both Supramania Swami and Tavayogi announced their arrival as I came down having dressed up in my bridegroom attire while my wife was entertaining the guests. I began to sing songs ushering them, my gurus who lived to guide me in their physical form, the Gods, Agathiyar, Ramalinga Adigal, and the Siddhas. My wife and I did Paatha Puja, washing Agathiyar and Lobama's feet before conducting their libation, bathing ritual, or Abhisegam. Agathiyar came as we did this ritual for him. We attended to the guests as Mahindren dressed up Agathiyar and Lobama's murti or statue. When done we began lighting the Homam and chanting the names of the Siddhas. Agathiyar sat with us, acted as a purohita, and guided us. He asked that both my wife and I re-enter our homes accompanied by my daughter and son-in-law. I played the song of divine matrimony that Ramalinga Adigal sang of and we exchanged the garlands. We then placed garlands on Agathiyar and Lobama's statue. Agathiyar had two devotees pick up these statues and carry them circumambulating the Homam as my wife and I followed closely behind. He had us sit beside him as he spoke to us and all the devotees and guests who had arrived. He took a moment to attend to the heel of an 8-year-old who had a road mishap recently. Before he bid farewell he wished us well. He asked that I speak to the invitees, reminding me of his message for the day. The discourse had come as a question and answer both rising from him. I was just a tool transmitting them into paper and ink a couple of days earlier.

Agathiyar brings a complex, difficult concept to picture and visualize, and often unaccepted and un-understood into simple terms for us to understand, follow, attain, and become one with. 

"Who is Agathiyan? You are. I am. True. We all are Agathiyan. The Jothi or flame in us is Agathiyan. He resides as the fire, flame, heat, and warmth in us. He is Esan. He is the Esan who resides within. Why is it that we do not realize nor feel him? It is because we have not attained the state of preparedness or readiness to realize him. Once our soul attains this state, we shall begin to realize him. How can we attain this state of preparedness? First, we have to travel this path. We need to travel to the places and abodes of the Siddhas, witness their miracles, enter the states of bliss, and bring back these feelings and work on them, nurturing them. The Siddha shall come down. When we follow their directives they shall walk with us holding our hands. This travel then shall not be that of an external but of an internal journey. Yoga is the key to this travel within. From Sariyai arriving at Kriyai, now they shall teach Yogam. The journey within shall begin. You shall witness happenings. You shall see many things. It would be puzzling to you. It would be new to you too. Continuing this internal journey, you shall arrive at each Chakra and eventually see the cosmic dance of Thillai in Sahasrara. A 1000-petaled flower will keep on opening up continuously. Arutjothi will come to reside here. Then its effulgence enters within, and just as how the Kundalini upon awakening traverses each Chakra purifying them, this effulgence brings on the shine and luminosity in them. Jothi Darisanam takes place where one sees the light or effulgence. The body takes on the same. Vibrations begin to emit within and around us and are felt by those tuned to receive and feel around us. They shall follow you. You become a Jeeva Mukta, having attained Mukti while living in the flesh. Henceforth you are no different from Agathiyan and Agathiyan is no different from you. You are me and I am you."

 

"யார் அகத்தியன்? நீ அகத்தியன். நான் அகத்தியன். உண்மை. நாம் எல்லோரும் அகத்தியன். நம் உள் உள்ள ஜோதி அகத்தியன். அவர் அகத்துள் உறையும் தீ அகத்தியன். அவர் ஈசன். அவர் அகத்துள் உறையும் ஈசன். ஏன் நாம் அவரை உணர்வதில்லை? ஏன் நாம் இதனை உணர்வதில்லை? நாம் பக்குவம் அடையவில்லை. நாம் ஆத்மா பக்குவம் அடைந்தால் நாம் இதனை உணர்வோம். நாம் எப்படி பக்குவம் அடைவது? முதலில் இந்த பாதையில் பயணிக்க வேண்டும். சித்தர்கள் வாசம் செய்யும் இடங்களுக்குச்  சென்று, பல அற்புதங்களைக் கண்டு மகிழ்ந்து, உணர்ந்து, பின்னர் அவ் உணர்வுடன் இல்லம் திரும்பி, அவர்களை நினைத்து நினைத்து உருகிப் பூஜிக்க வேண்டும். சித்தன் இறங்கி வருவான். பின் அவன் கட்டளைக்கு ஏற்ப நடந்து வந்தால் விரைவில் அவன் உங்கள் கரங்களை பிடித்து கொண்டு பயணிப்பான். இப் பயணம் வெளி பயணம் அன்று உள் பயணம் ஆகும். உள் பயணத்திற்குத் திறவுகோல் யோகம். சரியையிலிருந்து கிரியைக்கு வந்த பின்னர் இப்போது யோகம் பயிற்றுவிப்பான். அப்போது உள் பயணம் ஏற்படும். பல நிகழ்வினை காண்பீர். பலதும் உணர்வீர். புதிராகவும் இருக்கும். புதியதுவாகவும் இருக்கும். இவ் உள் பயணதைத்  தொடர்ந்து வந்தால் ஒவ்வொரு சக்கரமாகச் சென்று அடைந்து பின் இறுதியில் சஹஸ்ராரவில் தில்லை நடனத்தைக் காணலாம். எந் நேரமும் அங்கு ஆயிரம் தாழ் மலர் ஒன்று விரிந்து கொண்டே செல்லும். அருட்சோதி அங்கு வந்து உறையும். பின் அதன் பிரகாசம் உள் சென்று எப்படி குண்டலினி ஒவ்வொரு சக்கரமாக மேலே சென்றதோ சென்று கழிவுகளை விளக்கி தூய்மை செய்ததுவோ அதுபோல் அருட்சோதி கீழ்ச்சென்று ஒவ்வொரு சக்கரமும் பிரகாசிக்கச் செய்யும். ஜோதி தரிசனம் கிட்டும். உடல் ஜோதி பிழம்பாக திகழும். உடல் பிரகாசிக்கும். உடலில் இருந்து அதிர்வுகள் நீண்டு உங்களைச் சூழ்ந்து மற்றவர்களைத் தாக்கும். பலர் இதனை உணரக் கூடும். பக்குவம் அடைந்தவர்கள் புரிந்து கொண்டு பின் தொடர்வார். அப்போது நீ ஜீவ முக்தன் ஆகிவிடுவாய். உனது ஜீவன் முக்தி அடைந்து விட்டது. பின் நீ வேறு அகத்தியன் வேறு அல்ல. நீயே நானாய் நானே நீயாய் திகழ்வோம். 

சுபம்."

 

Agathiyar who began with a question as to who was Agathiyan comes one complete round bringing us to understand and accept the concept. Now it is time for us to work on this concept and realize it.

Credit: Balamurugan

Credit: Balachandran

Courtesy of Balachandran

Balachandran

NATURE IS TRULY MYSTERIOUS

Agathiyar has got me all excited over tomorrow's dual event, ushering our gurus and Siddhas into our homes celebrating Guru Purnima and also carrying out our 60th wedding. Preparations and rehearsals are done ahead of the big day.

The greatest wedding present is that Agathiyar told us ahead, of that both my gurus Supramania Swami and Tavayogi who have passed on will be there to bless us. We are to usher them. What could a devotee and student ask for further? 

Besides that Agathiyar had a devotee drive us to shop for our wedding attire and paid for it too. This too is a wedding gift from Agathiyar. 

I wonder what else is in store for Agathiyar, who is known to throw surprises at the eleventh hour. He even comes during the events and switches our plans. With Agathiyar we indeed need to plan ahead and rehearse the events as he directs us. But we need to prepare to be surprised. 

We are truly blessed to have Agathiyar choose this date to carry out our 60th wedding celebrations too. I never thought of celebrating as I stepped into my 60th birthday some 5 years ago. But Agathiyar came along last March and asked if we should celebrate it. When I told him that I am way past 60 and am in my 65th year, he joked, "Then let us celebrate your 7oth then." But moments later he insisted that I carry it out this year to coincide with Guru Purnima.  

Guru Purnima is a day to worship and honor our gurus. By doing this we recognize and accept the sacredness in them. If Tavayogi had stepped aside after showing me to Agathiyar, Agathiyar who showed me to Tavayogi wants me to honor him and Supramania Swami on this fine day. 

Agathiyar always has me rehearsed the events even before the actual event gets off the ground. In having us rehearse the steps in our minds, Agathiyar is simply getting us to do Manasa Puja or mental worship as pointed out by Swami Shantananda as "envisioning doing all the steps of worship" at https://www.siddhayoga.org/practices/guru-puja. 

Swami Shantananda has us see the offering of fruits from a different perspective. He says these fruits represent the fruit of our labor and efforts, "the attainments we achieve", in following the way of the gurus and we offer these fruits of labor and efforts back to him. "It is offered as a gesture of detachment and gratitude", he says. Similarly, in offering flowers, he says "We offer the excellent qualities that have blossomed in us." This is what the recitation of the names followed by the singing and extolling of the nature and qualities of the deities during the Archanai or worship with flowers is all about. It is the inherent, prevalent, and "qualities that have blossomed in us" over time that we now place at the feet of the divine by offering flowers. How wonderful. 

He asked that we sit still after the puja since our hearts now completely opened, shall imbibe the teachings of the guru from within. Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal tell us to connect with the Prapanjam in these moments where it shall all dawn on us. 

Swami Shantananda enlightens us on the practices prior to the times before the Vedas came about to be composed which were very much connected with nature or the Prapanjam at https://www.siddhayoga.org/practices/guru-puja. Apparently, the worship of nature has been carried on through time as a religious practice and is still done in many cultures to this day. The Siddha path is very much linked to nature too. What is just a river to us is more than that to the saints as Swami Vishnudevananda came to find out from his master Swami Sivananda, as he writes in his book ‘My Years with the Master’ at http://www.sivanandaonline.org.

Before leaving (the Ashram), I went down the Ganga where it was the custom of the Ashram to do Aarati (waving of lights) every evening. All the devotees and inmates of the Ashram assembled by the banks of the Ganga to watch Master perform this evening worship. I was skeptical. I was of a scientific temperament and knew that a river is only water, H2O-imagine worshipping H20!! But as I stood there and watched Master waving the lights, I saw the river become a mass of flowing lights. At that instant the river assumed a divine flow, a manifestation of the Grace of the Lord. Master turned and looked at me and in my mind I heard his message, “God pervades everything; this too is His Special Form.” This entirely changed my outlook on life.

During our rounds to the caves and jungles and the temples and abodes of the Siddhas, Tavayogi kept pointing out to me the Siddhas' presence in nature and all around us. He pointed to the skies and said that they were ushering us with flowers. He pointed out to the aroma of sandalwood and told me they were present. He pointed out to the granite statue of Agathiyar at Agasthiyampalli and told me that Agathiyar was opening and shutting his eyes and asked if I saw this. Sadly, I never saw or sensed all that was shown. Going by his tone, I guess he was equally disappointed and told me, "It is alright. Let us take some photos" and relieved me of my camera. We moved indoors away from the heat of the afternoon sun outdoors. He asked that I sit in the inner chamber and threw me his shawl to sit on as the floor had oil stains. Reluctant to enter the sacred chamber I turned to sit at the doorway. That is when as I turned to Agathiyar's statue his left eye was fully open. How was that possible? Seeing the surprised look on my face, Tavayogi who knew I had seen the miracle whisked me away from there, preventing me from questioning or investigating further. 

Coming over to Agathiyar's chamber at Papanasam temple, I saw the miracle gain, this time both eyes were opened in his granite statue. Tavayogi spotting that I had seen another miracle whisked me away again. How is all this possible? 

Tavayogi gave me a taste of nature by bringing me to these places, connecting me with her rather than handing out notes and conducting courses and exams. He took me on the practical path again by giving us several Yoga practices to carry out in 2007 that after 4 years forced the dormant energies to awaken and rise in 2010/11. Ramalinga Adigal came to connect us with the Prapanjam after Agathiyar revealed that the Prapanjam was in him and that he was in it too. Agathiyar continued from there breaking the bund that held back these energies after another 12 years in 2022. When I asked him if there was anything further that I needed to do, he replied "Nothing" and that the energies would do their work. The Prapanjam is at work now as Agathiyar said. It is honoring all our wishes and showering us with gifts that we never desired. This 60th wedding is one such gift. 

Below are listed the benefits of carrying out Siddha puja on Full Moon nights as Agathiyar revealed in the Nadi reading.

Many in this world utter my name (Agathiyar),
Prayers done truthfully (to Sidhas) shall gain many benefits,
Prayers shall bring much joy,
Prayers done moderately but splendidly and honestly shall help protect the world,
Prayers done with fellow devotees will bring many benefits,
Many shall rise in stature and power,
Prayers will lead to a state of bliss,
Prayers done on full moon days shall strengthen the Jothi within,
Prayers will help remove doubts,
Through prayers, one shall attain godhead,
Strength, grace, and wealth shall be gained,
Stay on this path of devotion and family bonds shall be strengthened,
All that is asked for shall be gained,
Prayers shall lead to meditation and charitable thoughts,
All ills shall be removed,
God shall listen to prayers,
Idiots shall become geniuses,
The benefits attained from prayers are indescribable for many changes shall take place.

THE SURPRISE

I am getting excited over the whole affair of my 60th wedding (actually I am 65 now) that Agathiyar is practically organizing for me and my wife. Now what did we do to deserve his kindness and attention? When he initially suggested that we carry out the 60th wedding, I told him that I was past 60. He then jokingly said, "We shall celebrate the 70th then". Minutes later, he said, "No. You do it this year." He told me he would update further at another moment. Days ago he intercepted a phone call and gave instructions on how we were to carry it out. The first thing he mentioned was that both my gurus Supramania Swami and Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal would grace the wedding. I was to pay homage to them. He asked that I carry out the Siddha puja first before moving on to the wedding. He asked that we sing from the "Siddhar Paadal Thoguppu" or compilation of songs in praise of the Siddhas that I had prepared for my personal home puja in 2007. 

He asked that I light the homam. Both my wife and I were to carry out Abhisegam or a libation to his statue and that of Lobama with milk. We were to exchange the garland next. We were asked to speak to those gathered about our experiences traveling the path and about the Siddhas. I remember Tavayogi put me in a fix when he told the audience that I would speak about the Siddhas at an opening of a branch of his Kallar Agathiyar Gnana Peedham in Banting during his visit here back then in 2007. I was a new kid on the block having no knowledge of the Siddhas then. I knew something about Tavayogi though and started to speak about him. Soon running out of words I cunningly reverted to singing the Arutperunjothi mantra which everyone began to sing with me too. I had escaped the test. When Agathiyar and Lobama made their rounds to the homes of devotees who invited them beginning June last year, I was asked to speak about the Siddhas again by Agathiyar. Well, I was in a fix again. Just minutes into the talk I invited all those gathered to share how Agathiyar changed their lives around. I escaped the test again. But as I did touch on vegetarianism, Agathiyar later told me that it was not appropriate and asked me to check out the audience first if they would appreciate the talk. So now when he tells me to speak again at our wedding, he surprises me by giving me the script too, so that I do not blunder again. He had me take out a blank sheet of paper and write it down. As the words came through, I understood them too. I then kept it aside. I never went back to reading it. It shall be read out during that day. 

Today he arranged for a devotee to drive us to Klang and purchase a wedding saree for my wife and a traditional suit for me, sponsored by the devotee. We also took costumes for Agathiyar and Lobama. This truly came as a surprise to us. Now what did we do to deserve his kindness and attention?

IN SEARCH OF CLARITY

I had written in an earlier post "What was lawful once might be unlawful now or vice versa as the cruel act of the wife stepping into the burning funeral pyre of her dead husband in the past. Can we then thank the British who by making it unlawful brought a stop to this insane act?"

I came across a piece related to this act written by P V Jagadisa Ayyar in his book "South Indian Customs", Asian Educational Services, New Delhi, 1985.

"A husband by putting one of his two garlands on the neck of his would be wife bestows on her half of his spiritual force and she repeating the process in turn shares hers with him. The ancient Hindu custom of Sati had its origin perhaps from this. The husband when he dies waits for his wife in the next super physical world."

The next sentence that describes how she is prepared by her community to step into the fire is painful to read and visualize her state of mind and the moments that follow. 

"Hence the ancient wise had discovered a plant the juice of which when mixed with sandal paste and smeared over the body made the body insensible to the burning sensation and the wife wakes to find herself in the company of her husband on the other side of death without having in the least felt the agonies of death in being burnt alive by having become a Sati." 

I wonder?

"They then go together into the heaven world or Swarga to dwell there for some time and come back again to this world to continue the work of evolution. Thus, we see in the plan laid down by the wise men of old that two souls drawn together by love real and sincere do not part till both reach the level at the same time."

Another shocker came by way of watching the following movies "Namma Gramam" where women are slaves to their husbands, "Varnashramam" where people are slaves to the caste system, "Maharaj" where women take pride in serving the sexual wants and needs of gurus and "Shyam Singha Roy" where women who are designated to serve God are forced to satisfy the sexual needs of religious heads too.

When Agathiyar tells us not to hurt another soul and Ramalinga Adigal goes to the extent of weeping for the crops that wither in the heat of the day, how can we condone and justify these acts of human sacrifice and those of animal sacrifices in the name and under the cover of religion?  

Man has instilled fear and manipulates people using the powerful tool - that of religion. I guess this is the reason Ramalinga Adigal and Bharathi opposed animal sacrifices and dumped caste and religion outright. When preachers interpret texts and ask that one retains the semen, Agathiyar tells us that it has to be discharged periodically. He advises married couples to continue to engage themselves in sex. Ramalinga Adigal too advocates the same in his "Urainadai Paguthi". Tirumular goes to explain in depth conception and the determination of the sex of the child. 

These might come as a surprise and contradictory to common belief and practice and cause further confusion among followers and believers, but it is only from confusion that clarity arises. We need both opposites to know the other just as day and night, happiness and sadness, peace and war, etc. We pray that God gives us the sense and intellect (Arivu) to see through this world of Maya and act accordingly.

GURU PURNIMA HOMAM

It is saddening that there are so many negative energies emitted in this world. Just a casual greeting could end in a conversation with a negative tone. People have no words of appreciation but only voice their displeasure. The chatter all around us is laced with negativities. The adult world is a threat to children too. It is a culture shock to them at most times. I am just as terrified of adults as children are. 

Just as Lord Shiva told us to carry out the Homam in our homes and recite Dhanvantri's mantra and the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra to heal the Prapanjam at the height of the pandemic, I guess we should take up the cause to heal the Prapanjam by giving back positive energies. 

Now I understand why Agathiyar told me that the Homam I was asked to conduct by Tavayogi in my home was not for me but for the Prapanjam. Tavayogi who initiated me into the path and fold of the Siddhas with Agathiyar's mantra, initiated me to carry out Homam in my home later. He even had me carry out the Homam simultaneously on the day of Agathiyar's Jayanthi, while he did a bigger scale of the Homam called a Yagam on the grounds of his Kallar ashram. 

Tavayogi in explaining to us the reason why a Homam is conducted during a wedding told us there might be invitees who come with negative thoughts, intentions, and energies that could jeopardize the harmony and blissful state prevailing then. The Homam counters these. 

It came as a surprise to me when Agathiyar who brought an end to puja at AVM and asked me to go within in 2019, intercepted a telephone conversation with a fellow devotee just days ago on 7th July, asking me to restart the puja the same day and continue till he comes again. I had since then carried out lighting a Homam.

Shall we do the Homam on Guru Purnima at 3pm MST? Hopefully, coming together to carry it out in our own homes simultaneously, would help bring a balance in the energies, or better still overcome the negative energies sent out by many. 

MAN & HIS NATURE

I used to see a disfigured man cycle in the park during my regular morning walks. We use to exchange a few words briefly as he passes me on his bike. Interestingly today, the thought occurred to me if I would hug him. We have read and seen visuals of Mata Amritanandamayi hugging all those who stand in line for her blessings. When there are followers of gurus, commanding that devotees stand some distance away, preventing them from getting any closer to the master, and there are masters too who permit their devotees to touch their feet and perform "Patha puja" or wash their feet, this outstanding lady saint outshines all the other gurus. I believe she creates an avenue for people coming before her, to shed whatever baggage, emotions, pain, hurt, etc they carry with them, besides receiving a taste of her blissful state. Ramalinga Adigal whenever he comes to us, through devotees, hugs us all and passes on a taste of his blissful state reminding us to reach out to the Prapanjam and Arutperunjothi. Bhogar told us that like Mata Amritanandamayi henceforth he shall hug all who step into AVM. 

If Paramahansa Yogananda through his book "An Autobiography of a Yogi" introduced me to the existence of men turned gurus and saints, Tavayogi bringing me to visit three gurus who were each in their own world, showed me that even the gurus vary by nature. Traveling back to his ashram after the visit, he pointed out their nature to me. While the first was caught up in the tussle to take control of the establishment set up by his guru, fearing that it would pass hands now that the guru had passed away, the second guru we met was pretty much caught up with the rituals in the temple that he ran. The last guru we met according to Tavayogi was a true Gnani, keeping to himself in a bungalow, sitting aloft from all worldly things.  

We tend to stay away from people who are different from us for different reasons. I used to stay aloof from people begging on the streets in the past. I even stayed away from places where devotees offer offerings of animal sacrifices to summon deities. Then when we at Amudha Surabhi went into the homes of the unfortunate to deliver cooked food and groceries, as directed by Agathiyar, we saw single mothers tending to their children after their husbands absconded from their responsibilities and obligations. A grandma was looking after her grandson, a special needs child after his parents deserted him. Then we have a dad who is looking after his son who is a special needs kid too, after the mother left them. Another couple who convinced the management of a shelter to look after their child while they presumably went to work never turned up for the kid after some time. It was sad to see the parents desert these children. We were glad that we could bring some relief to these souls then. 

The day I drop distinguishing people, judging them through their appearances, seeing their appearance, sex, color, creed, and race, I shall see Arutperunjothi, for Ramalinga Adigal sings that the moment he dropped the shackles of caste and religion he saw Arutjothi. I told Agathiyar that if he turns away people of other faiths, I shall drop him. He cannot be a savior only for his believers and turn away others. Now I realize that his arms are outstretched to all of humanity when we see many nationals from many nations turn up for Nadi readings. Though it hurts him to see none seeking out Gnanam, he never turns away anyone, even if they come to him for material gains or for solutions. Agathiyar does not distinguish people for he only sees the souls. Those seeking instant relief or Agathiyar performing magic will be let down for Agathiyar does not do magic, unnecessarily. For instance, in praying to him to relieve our discomfort, illness, sickness, disease, disorder, etc he gets us to seek medical attention at the hospitals or clinics or either the Siddha practitioners. At times he does save a life when all other means have been exhausted. But one should remember that this was a bonus and a privilege that many do not get. He should leave his old ways and turn a new leaf for he is reborn now. He should opt to serve God and humanity for the rest of his life. This is the least he could do in return. But it saddens me to see them going back to their old ways.

P.S. If I thought and wrote earlier at 10.29am that Mata Amritanandamayi is the only one as far as I know who hugs devotees to this day, I just read a piece of online news carried at https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2024-01/disfigured-man-carressed-by-pope-passes-away.html on Pope Francis embracing Vinicio Riva, whose face was disfigured by von Recklinghausen's disease, ten years ago in St. Peter's Square. 

"Many will never forget Vinicio Riva, the man whose face was disfigured by a rare disease, who was embraced and caressed by Pope Francis ten years ago in St. Peter's Square, shortly after the start of his pontificate in 2013." 

It is true that the divine walks in some. The divine is not in the stone or metal but among us. It is for us to recognize him.

TO ACT OR WATCH?

This post might be read and construed as being supportive of the atrocities that man does on fellow men, their faith and belief, and other creations, but it is written from the perspective of the saints.

Sadhu Om sings that the moment you realize that everything happens by his grace (will), you shall enter a state of peace. What was lawful once might be unlawful now or vice versa as the cruel act of the wife stepping into the burning funeral pyre of her dead husband in the past. Can we then thank the British who by making it unlawful brought a stop to this insane act? 

Sadhu Om stresses that there cannot be injustice in God's reign. Rather than follow the thoughts that begin to bear actions, we are asked to focus on eradicating the ego and experiencing the Atma. This is Atma Anubhavam. When the separateness is dropped what remains is the divine soul or ParamAtma.

எப்போது நீயறி வாயோ மனமே
அப்போதே சாந்தி யடைவாய்
இப்பாரி லெப்போதும் எல்லா மிறையருளால்

தப்பா தணுவளவுஞ் சரியாய் நடப்பதாக (எப்போது…)

முற்போது தர்மமென்றும் தற்போ ததர்மமென்றும்
முயன்றேசீர் திருத்திட முடியுமுன் னாலேயென்றும்
அற்பாகந் தைச்செருக்கால் அலையாம லேயடங்கி
ஆண்டவன் ஆட்சியில் அதர்மமே யில்லையென்றே (எப்போது…)

எழுந்தவுன் னெழுச்சியா லெண்ணம் செயல்சொல்லாக
இயற்றிய கர்மமெல்லாம் இறைவனை நீங்குவதே
அழுந்தி யகமூலத்தி லகந்தை யழிவதொன்றே
அரிய க்ருதக்ருத்திய ஆன்மானு பவமென்றே (எப்போது…)

இப்பாரி லெப்போதும் எல்லா மிறையருளால்
தப்பா தணுவளவுஞ் சரியாய் நடப்பதாக (எப்போது…)

When you realize, right then you shall attain peace
When you realize this, right then you shall attain peace, oh mind

That in this world everything happens ever by God’s Grace
With not a mistake down even to each atom perfectly
When you realize this, right then you shall attain peace

Imagining that then there was dharma and now there is adharma
And through your effort, you can bring about a change
To not roam about with such arrogance of the puny ego
And surrender that there is no adharma in God’s dominion
When you realize this, right then you shall attain peace

Your rising up that becomes thought, word, and deed
and all the karma thus created moves you away from God
To abide within the Heart source so the ego gets destroyed
Is the rarest deed worthy of pursuing, direct Self-experience
When you realize, right then you shall attain peace

That in this world everything happens ever by God’s Grace
With not a mistake down even to each atom perfectly
When you realize this, right then you shall attain peace, oh mind.

(Source: eppodhu nee arivaayo, When You Realize (arunachala.org)

Bhagawan Ramana and Yogi Ramsuratkumar both understood the divine will and law and told their followers "Let them do what they came for", when some ransacked the former's ashram and gave him a blow and beat up the latter in the streets, for these masters understood that these souls had come to fulfill the divine play that was scripted in another realm and that is acted upon and came into play down here on this earth.

When Swami Vivekananda voiced his anger to Goddess Kali for keeping quiet when certain quarters brought down the places of worship, she replied that it was her work too. 

When a colleague's pregnant wife was suffering Goddess Mariamma revealed that it was Kali's work which made me angry and confused about why she did that to her devotees. This set me ablaze with questions that had to be dozed off by Lord Shiva in a dream asking me to keep these questions to a later date. I left everything, got married, and focused my attention on my responsibilities toward the family and my career for the next 14 years.

When some asked why India had beggars, Yogi Ramsuratkumar replied that India needs beggars. Should we thank them for giving us an opportunity to serve, donate, and help these unfortunate souls?

When Cheng Yen was denied entry to become a monk, the invasion of Taiwan by the Japanese paved the way for institutions to allow women to pursue their dreams. Should we thank the Japanese then? 

Then there were individuals who opposed the system and worked to bring change. Kavyakantha Vasistha Ganapati Muni objected to women being barred from any spiritual or religious chores. Bharathi is another classic example. 

A prayer of Dr. BR Ambedkar "If caste was to determine and take hold of society, let the breeze that blows bring on the poison", "சாதிதான் சமூகம் என்றால் வீசும் காற்றில் விஷம் பரவட்டும்" shows the intensity of the hurt and anger he had against the practice of the caste system. Can we equate his prayer, as having been granted by the Prapanjam which watches over all of creation and absorbs all thoughts, to the recent pandemic? 

So what is our stand then, to act or watch? 

AT EASE WITH NATURE

I had watched a movie on Mother Teresa "Letters from Mother Teresa" some time back and was captivated by her love and compassion that spearheaded her mission to save lives beginning with providing a shelter for those left to die in the streets. Today I came across a news piece on Cheng Yen, the initiator of Tzu Chi, a global organization that has "helped build schools and hospitals, run programs for refugees in Ukraine and victims of mass shootings, and responds to natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods" at Who is the Buddhist nun who built a global charity from a tiny apartment in rural Taiwan? (msn.com)

Like Kavyakantha Vasistha Ganapati Muni who objected to women being barred from any spiritual or religious chores when it was prevalent at that time that women were not considered fit to worship Agni, study the Vedas, and recite Vedic Mantra and were denied the benefits of Upayana, and would himself initiate women into Mantra japa, Cheng Yen who ran away from home to become a nun at 21 years of age, found "getting ordained as an uphill task in a society where "being a monk was reserved for men".

"That changed when Taiwan came under Japanese rule, and women started receiving education. Japan’s approach also allowed nuns to study at Buddhist universities in Japan, and when they came back to Taiwan, they established their own practices, formally opening the path to women being ordained."

(Source: Associated Press)

It is amazing what we humans can do provided we choose to. But most of the time we just walk past or look the other way, in no way affected by the plight and sufferings of others. I too used to walk by a hungry man or beggar back then. It did not move me to stop to ask or enquire if he or she needed anything or an aid. When Agathiyar reversed my destiny asking me to get another initiation from Tavayogi after a Nadi reading, and asking that I stay at his ashram for a couple of days, besides having Tavayogi bringing me places associated with the Siddhas, having Tavayogi show and point out to me the distinction between even gurus in physical form, he also had me carry out my first ever act of feeding and doing charity at the ashram. Then sending youths to my aid we initiated the group Amudha Surabhi, the charity arm of Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM), and continued this gesture. When many would settle for this and be comfortable doing this, Agathiyar had us wind up and go within on the next phase of the journey, to know the Self. When most would think that Agathiyar would have us adorn the saffron robe and become a mendicant, he left AVM briefly and returned with Lobama. Residing as a couple now, he has me carry out my 60th birthday to coincide with Guru Purnima on Sunday, 21 July 2024.

Turning 60 is a time to introspect and redress all our shortcomings, and rectify and tie up loose ends so that we leave with a clean slate and do not need to come back to wash our dirty linen, clean the plates, or make good or complete unfinished work or tasks. The 60th wedding is to garland the Atma within us as opposed to a Shanmugam Avadaiyappa garlanding a Mageswari as in the marriage before this. It is acknowledging that the couple has respected the marriage contract and vows they took before the family and invitees at the wedding and most importantly witnessed by their ancestors, guardian angels, Gods and Goddesses, and other deities who stood around as the couple circumambulated the sacred fire. It is acknowledging that they had respected each other, and carried out their responsibilities to the best of their ability in raising a family, as Anuradha Gajaraj-Lopez details in her book "Tirumanam - Agasthiyar Vazhipaadu". Briefly, it goes as follows.

• The first circumambulation around the fire is to vow "to take care of their welfare and bring happiness to the family."

• The second is "a prayer to God to give them the strength to fulfill their dharma as householders."

• The third is "a promise to take care of the material aspects of family life."

• In the fourth step around the holy fire, "the couple promises to be faithful to each other."

• The fifth is "a prayer to beget noble children."

• In the sixth, "the groom asks if she will remain with him forever?" and finally,

• Taking the 7th step, the couple "accept each other as husband and wife and promise to remain eternal companions." 

and now shall undertake to journey to know the soul that resides within them. 

Ordering the garlands for the occasion with my local florist I asked if there was a distinction between these garlands and the flowers used for various occasions and events. This simple man educated me that nature does not distinguish between the good, bad, and the ugly just as the sun shines and rain pours equally. He told me in the past the villagers would gather whatever flowers were available and string them into a garland. It might be for the newly married or the dead. There were no specific flowers or garlands for these occasions. I had another knock and a lesson from Agathiyar. 

Taking my usual walk in the park this morning, I decided to slow down the pace, taking a step at a time, consciously and with full awareness as opposed to the usual fast pace that has become a habit for me too like many at the parks. What do you know? It was entirely different and truly refreshing. I was reminded of the Buddhist monks taking a step at a time. If we allocate a particular time for meditation, the Buddhist monks have come to incorporate meditation into their daily lives, while eating, walking, speaking, gardening, watering, bathing etc. Everything is a form of meditation for them, bringing awareness to the moment.

As the sun was not up and blazing at 8.40 am as it was on other days, I took time to sit on a rock and close my eyes, taking in the sounds of the chirping of birds, the faint voices of people, the chatter and laughter, the clapping of hands and hitting of other body parts by some who think it improves their blood circulation, the distant barking of the dogs in the neighborhood surrounding the park, the sound of wheels of the tricycles rode by children, the distant sound of music emitting from amplified speakers accompanying the light exercises done by park goers, and the occasional plane that flies low preparing to land at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, all these reaching my ears This was topped up by the breath that came within, the touch of the chill air that caressed my body and the breeze that blew across my face. I immediately took out my smartphone and began to draft this post.

Retirement is a boon and a reminder for us in old age to slow down and enjoy what is left of our life spending quality time with our family and grandchildren. These children devout all their time to us as they know not what to do besides that. Once they attend school, we shall see them join the rat race too. With parents busy earning a living it is the grandparent's duty to spend time with these kids and share their life experiences. sadly many grandparents have these children sit and watch mega serials or pass on a smartphone and attend to other matters. 

 

Seeing many trees toppled down at the park, I understood from a resident couple from the neighboring homes, that 3 weeks ago a thunderstorm tore through this park snapping trees into two and felling others. There is a spate of trees uprooted in the city too currently. This shows that extremes on both sides can be detrimental to our well-being. Nature teaches us to be moderate. The Buddha's teachings are that of the middle way and moderate. So too both husbands and wives have to have mutual respect for each other. 

The whole scenario inspires you to become a writer. I guess now I know why Tavayogi when he wanted to write his book "Andamum Pindamum" took to the ashram of Sadgurunathar in Ooty, away from his routine life of managing his Kallar ashram and seeing visitors. One just seems not to want to leave the embrace of nature but as mosquitos have started to bother me sitting on these benches and as the sun is already up I will have to leave and take a leave too.

TIME TO KNOW THE ATMA

Walking through the life cycle one then arrives at the age when he marries. A bond is created with another that further expands our circle. Going through married life, taking care of one's needs and the family, and kin and society too, when he reaches the age of 60, he goes through another wedding ceremony. Looking through the net we come across a repetition of the rituals initially conducted when we were newly married couples, adopting the same when the male attains the age of 60. I believe it is way beyond these rituals this time around. 

This time around we are acknowledging that beyond this body and breath that keeps us alive, there is a soul that needs to be realized and given due recognition. If before 60 we were occupied with raising a family and building a career, now most of us would have retired from work or an occupation. Now we have the time and resources to spend on working on the Self. 

In clearing the air on the body, breath, and soul or Udal, Uyir, and Atma respectively, Agathiyar through a brief memo dictated by him to Mahindren and transcribed by the latter, we came to understand that it is the individual Atma who decides to take birth to either fulfill its purpose, or to experience something anew, or to fulfill unfulfilled desires from a past birth, or to return a favor to another, or to work out its Karma further. The Atma designs the model and body to take to serve and fulfill all the above. It initiates the gathering of the raw elements and materials from both parents to bring forth an embryo, a fetus, and a new life. Breath is breathed into it with a specific number that is stored in the navel upon birth. This is fed and expensed during our lifetime. The Siddhas who learned the art of extending and living long, through various techniques in Yoga Asanas and Pranayama, managed this breath well and attained the said state. 

This is a time of "reflection and appreciation for the life granted by the divine. This second inning of our life is an opportunity to seek deeper truths and connect with the divine" now since we have all the time. Having lived as lifelong partners or mates, we now realize that we were soulmates too. Now I understand why Tavayogi told me to bring the family too to the path. We need our wives with us and vice-versa to move ahead and progress. With the physical, emotional, and religious aspects of life in harmony, we step into the spiritual realm. Stepping into our 60th year, if we live long enough, is a phase of life that of reckoning the soul. It is a time of Self-discovery. In discovering the Self we realize that we are all one. We see the soul in us, in each other and others just as Agathiyar says that he only sees the soul in us. We realize that we are Siva and our wife and our counterpart Sakhi is Sakthi. We are the Yin and the Yang. As our physique is different we complement each other in areas that we lack. We come together in unison now dropping our individual personalities that we carried before, fought over, and compromised in life. The solo journey undertaken previously to realize each individual's Atma, merges becoming one. Both husband and wife walk the path of exploring the Atma. The journey now expands to include and embrace all those around us. Just as Agathiyar says he only sees our Atma, we begin to see others as Atma's that have come for a reason and purpose. Now the journey is pure and subtle in nature. We leave our hold on the gross and address the fine and subtle in us and others. Love and compassion bloom within and spread to all those we come across. This is the state of the Jeevan Mukta. He and she live to serve God and humanity. Working on watching and realizing each other's Atma we prepare ourselves and have the ground ready to have the ParamAtma come, seeking a unison as Ramalinga Adigal beautifully describes the moments before this sacred union in the song that follows.

As I wrote earlier, this is as far as our solo journey brings us. This is when the butterfly emerges from the cocoon. Thenceforth the individual soul in us or the JeevAtma takes on the role of bringing others to the path, to taste the blissful state it is in too, that of a Jeevanmukta. Whatever he does thenceforth is for the good of all of creation. The tasks and mission henceforth add to the merits of the gurus and the rest of the lineage. Besides this, his acts shall help eradicate the remaining Karma of his parents and ancestors. He joins the other Jeevanmuktas to power and energize the Prapanjam in return. It is the time to give back to the Prapanjam what he had taken before while walking the journey. He moves in this world but is not attached. He could move the world too if desired but he stops short of giving a helping hand to lift the souls from their predicaments. He whiles his time here until his time is up. He then continues his work in the subtle plane. This is the nature of the gurus. 

HOLD ON THERE A BIT LONGER

Some time back as I had my midday meal at a vegetarian restaurant, a man walked up to my table and asked to sit. Soon he started a conversation saying life was difficult under the pandemic, stating his huge losses in business. I asked him if he had shared and revealed his profits with others and shared his joy when he had a good day in good times. 

When people approach Tavayogi with their difficulties (Kastam), he listens patiently and finally tells them that all their problems are due to "Vinai" or what we had sowed in the past, commonly called Karma. If they are willing to listen further he would advocate that they come to the worship of the Siddhas. He would say "Potrinaal Unathu Vinai Agalum". Praising the Siddhas would bring an end to their problems. He tells me that these were not difficulties. He would rephrase it saying it was a problem. He would add that problems can be overcome. That is the reason we are given intelligence, he would go on. 

But what if one has come to the worship, read the Nadi to know his past Karma and carried out the remedies and yet faces these problems? How long can he hold on to the promises of the Siddhas? Faith soon declines in them. They begin to believe it is all a hoax and they go seeking other avenues for a solution. We cannot blame them for that is the nature of man. But if they had read the lives of the great saints, they would realize that life was neither rosy nor cozy for them too. Yogi Ramsuratkumar himself says that there are ups and downs in his life. Ramalinga Adigal had to face many enemies. The Puranas speak of the problems given by Asuras or Demons or Demonic figures. 

So how do you pacify one who is on the verge of going into depression and thinking of other disastrous alternatives? Who could come to their aid, if not the divine in some form. Then the question arises how far do we go to help another? Where do we draw the line? 

When seekers arrived at my home to witness the Siddha puja, they would slowly open up about their life problems. Initially, my wife and I would listen and advise them. But when the advice backfired, putting a word to Tavayogi, he would ask me "Why do you involve?" That put a hold on our involvement in other's lives. 

Then there is a question as to in what manner could we help another. 

Some in wanting to celebrate their birthdays chose to do it at orphanages. Do they understand the replication of their actions on these children? Rather they adopt a child for the day and celebrate his or her birthday with the others. 

Agathiyar who initially sent us to the homes of flat dwellers, the orphanages, and old folk's homes run by individuals, and to those who ended up on the streets to ascertain their needs and carry out the appropriate charity, later told us to investigate and verify and identify those who truly needed these aids. True enough the few poor and unfortunate in these homes were struggling to make ends me. The cooked food and groceries we gave were God sent for they could now channel whatever little income they received to pay the rent and bills which we did not undertake. When we saw how a children's home stocked an abundance of grains and other groceries and kept accepting more, we withdrew from giving them aid for their dishonesty and greed. When we took stock of the reality that there was an abundance of packed food given to those on the streets by numerous groups and individuals that ended up in the trash can untouched, we stopped street feeding. We continued with the few homes that we adopted in the low-cost housing scheme until Agathiyar pulled the brake on our work. Worried about them Agathiyar as if he saw through our thoughts assured us that some others would take up from where we left off. True enough another group came into the picture. As for us, we were told to go into the next phase of going within.

Even the very best astrologer can only come up with a solution based on our charts in this birth. Only the Siddhas go back into the past births to find the needle in the haystack. But at times they too do not expose many things for reasons known only to them. They too buy time at times for as long as we are mortals we are tied up with time and space. Time and venue play a major part in our lives. As for the Siddhas they have conquered these. The only final solution to all our problems is to become a Siddha. But how many desire this? When Agathiyar saves a person's life, what does he do? He goes back to his old ways. Why should he save him in the very first place then? Should not he turn a new leaf or take on a bigger purpose and live the rest of his life either in service to God or humanity? 

We believe that external elements can save us. If so why does someone die even after the doctors have tried their best to keep him alive? Who then makes the call? 

As Tavayogi says, use our intelligence to the best ability, put in the efforts called for, accept assistance that comes along, and leave the rest to the Higher Intelligence. Name it anything but place your faith in it to act in our favor or as it desires. Similarly learn to accept guidance and move on rather than trying to figure or and understand these divine doings. When the divine coming within a devotee, gave a solution to a seeker, he started to investigate who had come. Another wanted to know the voice behind the message that Agathiyar gave us which I had uploaded as an audio. There was a trio who went to the trouble to do a background check on a Nadi reader missing the message that Agathiyar had given them in the reading. It is indeed good to be inquisitive but one needs to at times accept and act on faith and belief in the unseen and mysterious. Ramalinga Adigal who is often quoted by his followers as being a nonbeliever of lesser deities, told a seeker who was been investigated, to seek a solution from Karupanasamy. The latter solved his problem. The seeker is still in service. A man who was likely to be sent to the gallows when his friends who were driving his car were stopped and found in possession of drugs, was released after his wife traveled to Kallar Ashram and participated in a Yagam. Another devotee who was suspended was reinstated to his post after he joined us in a Pornami Puja on the advice of Mataji as he could not travel to Kallar ashram for his passport was withheld. 

So many have seen benefits and good take place in their lives coming to the Siddhas. To those who are still struggling after coming to the Siddhas, what can I say but to hold on a bit longer. Maybe the last strand of all your troubles is about to break and you shall be freed of all your troubles. 

THE ULTIMATE IN GIVING BACK

Calling me to the worship of the Siddhas through the Kaanda Nadi reading in 2002, the following year, Agathiyar sent me to make good my past Karma by carrying out remedies both locally and in India, and atonement for the past doings, making a resolve not to repeat them. He then sent Tavayogi to our shores in 2005 to guide me and several others. Months later, Tavayogi brought me on a long walk into the jungles and to the caves, tracing the path of the Siddhas and his, that he had traveled in the days of his search the length and breadth of India. He showed me their abodes and temples. He introduced me to doing charity, which was alien to me then, at his Kallar ashram. Upon returning home, he often visited us and passed on further practices including teaching and showing me and several others, Asanas and Pranayama techniques in 2007. Meanwhile, Agathiyar and several other Siddhas filled me in with further observances and practices through numerous Aasi Nadi readings. Then he brought several youths to my home in 2013 to watch and learn Siddha puja. My home took on the name Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM). He brought us to doing charity and carrying out feeding in the homes of the poor and unfortunate, in the orphanages and old folks' homes, on the streets, and on the temple grounds through our charity arm Amudha Surabhi (AS). He had us bring our Siddha puja into the corridors of temples too. Then he gave the green light for me to take optional retirement from the service in 2016 preparing me to give my full time and attention to going within. In 2019, he had me dissolve these groups, all that he started and end all activities, and go within, teaching me further practices, while he released the others to fulfill their responsibilities towards their families, kin, and careers. He tells me that henceforth the journey has to be traveled solo as the path narrows permitting only one at a time. I withdrew from all forms of activities as directed and began to walk alone. This period of solitary was conducive for inner transformation to take place. The dormant energies in the Muladhara Chakra activated in 2011, without my knowledge, as a result of all the previous practices carried out, began to pool and stagnate in Manipuraka Chakra. Agathiyar came to have it released in 2022 and it began to travel to the higher Chakras. Agathiyar told me, that if we had physically undertaken numerous journeys traveling to holy places and energy vortexes earlier, it was now a journey of subtle travel, traversing the energy vortexes or Chakras within oneself. The culmination of this journey is Gnanam, he declared, something that Tavayogi always spoke about and wanted us to attain. 

This is as far as our solo journey brings us to. This is when the butterfly emerges from the cocoon. Thenceforth the individual soul in us or the JeevAtma takes on the role of bringing others to the path, to taste the blissful state it is in too, that of a Jeevanmukta. Whatever he does thenceforth is for the good of all of creation. The tasks and mission henceforth add to the merits of the gurus and the rest of the lineage. Besides this, his acts shall help eradicate the remaining Karma of his parents and ancestors. He joins the other Jeevanmuktas to power and energize the Prapanjam in return. It is the time to give back to the Prapanjam what he had taken before while walking the journey. He moves in this world but is not attached. He could move the world too if desired but he stops short of giving a helping hand to lift the souls from their predicaments. He whiles his time here until his time is up. He then continues his work in the subtle plane. This is the nature of the gurus.