Watching the movies "Kung Fu Panda", "Dr. Strange" and "Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa" over the past few days brought back pleasant memories of my relationship with my gurus Supramania Swami of Tiruvannamalai and Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of Kallar Ashram. The former was a family man till his last days while the latter left his family to serve Agathiyar adorning the saffron robes. While the former's 40-year-old desire to build a temple for Lord Murugan in Tiruvannamalai was stopped abruptly by the divine forces, the latter completed his desire to build a temple/ashram and meditation hall in Kallar. Who can comprehend the play of the Divine?
I adored the scenes in the above movies where the aspirant meets the guru and subsequently is accepted and trained in the mystic arts and art forms of self-defense. I was blessed to have similar experiences. Then these movies reminded me of disciples who betrayed the gurus and turn against them. We have Tai Lung, Kaecilius, and Taji from the respective movies deceive their gurus and turn traitors. I have seen my fair share of such followers and disciples who turned against my guru too. Why did they fall out of favor?
In my search to learn about the worship of the Siddhas prior to meeting my gurus, I used to wonder why was there a need for so many centers? Why couldn't they come under a single umbrella? I was to find out soon that each individual's ego, be it the student or master alike, just like in the material world, now stood before them hijacking their ability in making decisions related to religious and spiritual matters. It is difficult to come by a student or master who is devoid of ego. One who fills this description would make decisions in the interest and for the good of all mankind. These experiences held me back from patronizing these centers. It never dawned on me to start another mission or center, either.
But Agathiyar had other plans for me. He had a youth come over to my home to participate in my family Full Moon Puja after his Nadi reading. He in turn brought his schoolmates both to the Nadi reader and have them come over to join in the puja. A small group of following grew to as many as 100 plus. Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM) was born. When Agathiyar got us to do charity too besides puja Amudha Surabhi (AS) took birth. Along the way, some left with no further news from them, while others remained. I guess that is life. We cannot expect a bouquet of roses without having to rid the thorns. I understand now why the gurus stringently vet through their subjects before sharing with them the secrets. Tavayogi told me that a student has to wait to be tested for some 12 years before this knowledge is imparted to them. I know now how tough it must have been for him to be a guru.
What started in 2013 was brought to an end in September 2019 by Agathiyar, just months ahead of the emergence of the Covid-19 virus. Agathiyar put a stop to both the tasks and had us stay indoors and try to meditate. Time flew by sitting in isolation, attending to only matters that were crucial to our survival and sustenance. With many having had three doses of the vaccine, those who held fast to Agathiyar through these trying years began to meet again, a family at a time or in small numbers. I had a devotee invite Agathiyar over for his housewarming ceremony to be held soon. He personally extended an invitation to Agathiyar who had told me not to move his bronze statue anywhere after the series of visits he made to the home of some 10 devotees who invited him, accompanied by Tavayogi and Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar during their visit to Malaysia in 2016. Would he accept the devotee's invitation? Will he go on another round of visits to his devotees homes? We have to wait and see.
I, too, have come one cycle and began to carry out the homam daily in my home again. Finally, the mountain is a mountain again. We return to where we started, with our awareness and perspective changed. I thought I had to do it for the good of the world, as Agathiyar initially wanted me. I guess it is a way of repaying Agathiyar for all his kindness showered on this insignificant sinner. It is then the time to guide other seekers too. I have simplified even further the puja from the original 356 pages that took 2-hours initially, to accommodate those on the run with a later edition that took some 24 minutes, that today is only 12 pages. It hardly requires 12 minutes of our time. It shall be suitable to those who are hard-pressed for time and cannot sit for long periods of time. Time, the number of repetitions, and the pronunciations are not a matter of concern to the Siddhas. What is important is that we sit to do it sincerely. What is important is that we invite them into our homes first and later into the cave inside our hearts. Once they step inside, the heart shall mellow. This mellowing is the start of our spiritual journey, moving away from the initial rituals that are part and parcel of the journey.
