MORE MUSINGS

When we thought just like we work our way up in the material world, that it was all our doing in placing the effort towards riding the spiritual waves Ramalinga Adigal tells us through his songs that it is the sheer grace of the divine that brings us up the spiritual ladder. How many then appreciate the hidden hand of the divine and pay homage to them for their spiritual growth. Manickavasagar before him too spelled it out. Ramalinga Adigal in closely following the songs of Manickavasagar has penned many songs in which he attributes the state or stage he was in was solely possible through the grace of the divine. 

When I went to look up Tavayogi who was in Malaysia in 2005 after reading an advert on an opening and officiating of an Agathiyar center by him, a regular devotee at the center asked me what was my problem. I was puzzled. He told me that all those who came there had problems. Later sitting with Tavayogi I realized that was true. All those who saw him shared their problems. He would not give solutions but rather ask them to worship the Siddhas telling them that it was all the result of their vinai or karma. After carrying out the Siddha puja myself and having many turn up at my home to witness/participate in my home puja, some visitors shared the same with me too. 

When we were serving cooked food and distributing groceries and clothes to those in need their background was from the estates. Having been displaced from the nearby estates they ended up renting flats. Their lives were gloomy and the living conditions were deplorable. We could only help relieve their burden of the cost of living by giving out these handouts. 

So having sat with Tavayogi and listened to people's problems Agathiyar had us see for ourselves some of these problems in life. A friend and senior devotee and an AVM family member who helps out twice daily at the temples assisting the handful of priests struggling to upkeep their daily duties in carrying puja without fail told me that he was often shaken up by the stories of suffering and pain as devotees stood before the deity and him. They would beg that he brings their problems to the attention of the deity as they are close to them serving them. The senior would then bring their plight to the deities' attention. They leave with the hope that God shall take care of their miseries. My friend I guess has been chosen to help relieve the burden of those who sought these deities. 

I was surprised by a change when the host of the home where Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar spent her days in Malaysia in 2019, told me that he made it big in life having a promising business and assets. Again when she was here recently his mother told us his success story. I was delighted to hear their success stories. She who made a living tapping rubber in the estate had brought up her 7 children and 25 grandchildren to be successful in life. Here was one family that was grateful and was returning back the favor to God by supporting Mataji's ashram.

Many who came to read the Nadi in the possession of Mataji never went beyond that to enquire how she was running the ashram. Recently Agathiyar asked that Mataji get them to recite the names of the Siddhas or Siddhar Potri and carry out a homam to relieve themselves of their misery and sufferings even before seeing the Nadi. He added that these rituals will clear their lives and stressed that his Jeeva Nadi in Mataji's possession now was to be read for those seeking Gnanam complying with the name of Kallar Ashram, the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham.

It is not easy running an ashram. Gone are the days of volunteers and devotees wanting to engage in Sariyai coming by to serve and work at these ashramas. As this is missing, these days she needs to employ people to do the housekeeping, gardening, tending to the cows, watching the ashram, and conducting regular puja. Then there are the utility bills, quit rent, and expenditure to ensure there is no break in the daily or Nitya puja, etc. Visitors are served food and drinks. All these needs money. Money only comes when people visit the ashram. Mataji travels to give speeches in many venues at the invitation of the host, which brings in small tokens. Besides this, the Nadi reading done twice a week brings in some revenue to pay for all the above. When I ask Agathiyar why people are scarce at Kallar ashram, he says it shall not be a crowd puller. Only those seeking Gnanam shall step within its corridors just as its name portrays Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham.

I was taken aback when Mataji mentioned that some ashrams have come up for sale. There we some who offered to take over Kallar Ashram too she said. 

Someone asked me what we had gained worshipping the Siddhas. Everything is so profit-orientated these days. Even before we engage in a given practice we already want to know the benefits. I prefer to walk the talk first before exploring the benefits. If I were to know its benefits beforehand there would be much expectation on my part and I shall be frustrated and disappointed if I do not see the said results. So too as I went for a walk in a nearby park last evening I invited my daughter to follow me to do the practice of walking in figure 8 as the Siddhas have given us. I told her that I had not read up on the practice that is covered in a small book titled "Walk 8 Break Diseases" by S.Srinivasan, given to me by Master Uva for the above reason. She being a great fan of Marvel movies quoted Dr. Strange "The warnings come after the spells". She asked me to read the whole book before I started the practice. 

So I dusted my collections of books and found it. I share some of the benefits claimed in doing these practices. Many ailments shall be checked or arrested and possibly cured too writes the author who has been doing it for 10 years as of the date of publication of the book, February 2014. He advocates that those under the influence of the planet Saturn that runs its 7 1/2 years course tend to benefit much from this practice as the planet Saturn's number is 8.

LDL cholesterol, Arthritis, headaches, obesity, bronchitis, the excretory system shall function well, the vertebral column will be toned up, the oxygen required is obtained, eyesight improves, blood pressure normalizes, arrest diabetes, it helps settle the mind for meditation, and one shall have a good sleep.

To derive full benefit the figure * has to conform to the following size and space.

Between 14 and 16 feet in length and 7 to 8 feet in breadth. 

NOSTALGIA

Malaysia is a nation where all nationalities have come together in the past. Some came bringing maritime trade, others came to start small businesses that they had been carrying out in their native country, and many were brought as labor to man the many estates and tea plantations. Others came to take on jobs made available by the British colonization of Malaya then. (British acquisition of Penang, Melaka, and Singapore - the Straits Settlements from 1786 to 1824 started a steady inflow of Indian labor. The Sikhs mainly worked in the police force, while other northern Indians were involved in the business. The Malayalees, Ceylonese, and Christian Tamils may be involved in government and private white-collar work, the Chettiar in money-lending or finance, while the Vellalar and Muslim Tamils may be in various kinds of businesses - https://en.wikipedia.org/)

Today Malaysia has become a potpourri of culture, customs, religion, dressing, and food. We get to know and taste the myriad benefits of diversities that have taken hold of man since then. 

I schooled in a Christian missionary school back in Taiping. College life brought me to stay with my sister in a Chinese family initially and later in a Punjabi family in Ulu Kinta. Working life had me stay with Muslim colleagues in Lumut and later in Kuala Lumpur. Life and equally the people have been good to me. I have no complaints looking back at my personal life. But looking around at society and the manner it is moving saddens me. It looks like virtues, conduct, teachings, and practices have eroded over time, lost and forgotten. Religion is supposed to fill the gap here. Ethics on right living has been given to us throughout the ages and history by our great and wise and experienced ancestors. What have we done with all these scriptures, texts, and wisdom contained in them? They seem to collect dust on the rack. Have we emulated them and brought them back to life through our lifestyles?

Agathiyar once lamented to us that no one was following the Siddhar Vazhkai Neri Muraigal or the doctrines on the path of the Siddhas. I asked Ramalinga Adigal what was he thinking in setting up Satya Gnana Sabai. I feel his objective in setting it as a place of learning for the Devas whom Lord Shiva would tutor was lost and never materialized for reasons only the divine can answer. Many such establishments have emerged over time. Many have sustained time and the scrutiny of their followers while some others have been abandoned. 

Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal too took up Agathiyar's bidding to build an ashram, first at Thuripaalam in Kallar and later in the present site some 2kms away. In his absence, Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar tends to this ashram and its visitors. I once asked Agathiyar why his ashram was not a crowd puller like so many others. Agathiyar replied that it was not for the masses but those who sought after Gnanam. 

During Mataji's recent visit he asked her to read the Nadi for those who came seeking it in complying with the name of the ashram itself, the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham. The Nadi in her possession now was not to be equated with the many Nadi exposition that have become commercialized and a profession over time. Though Tavayogi had on numerous occasions told us that we do not need a Nadi reading, Agathiyar occasionally blessed us with one. Similarly, he had a reading for us, read by Mataji during her recent visit, like the one he had Tavayogi read out in his last visit to Malaysia in 2016.

Agathiyar replied to my inner yearning wishing that Tavayogi was with us now as I really need his guidance as I take another step toward reaching another milestone on the path. He told us that Tavayogi was with him engaged in some other work and that he would personally lead us on. Ramalinga Adigal too told us to hold on to Agathiyar and he shall shred and tear down the numerous veils that stand between us. We are truly blessed to hear these words. 

Much of what Tavayogi said in passing is beginning to make sense now. The songs of Ramalinga Adigal too make some sense now. Experience gained walking the path has enlightened us. We see similarities with what was spoken by these gurus. In the first few years of our apprenticeship with Tavayogi, he used to ask us to ask questions. But though many did ask about things they read, heard, and watched I had nothing to ask as I had no experience in any of the subjects spoken about. I would sit quietly and watch the exchange of questions go on for hours. Now I need Tavayogi to explain the happenings and the changes taking place. Hence the reason for wanting to have him around at this much-needed moment. But Agathiyar has assured us that he would be there for us.

How can we possibly repay their kindness, compassion, and grace? Thinking that serving him in all our future lives would settle the debt, I mentioned it to him when he kept asking what I wanted. But that was not what he had in mind for us. He asked me to look around and see for myself what was happening around. "Is this what you want?" he asked. I knew then that that was not how we repay him. Speaking later to Mahin about this, I told him maybe we should ask for Gnanam just as Tavayogi had advocated many times. But what was Gnanam? How can we ask for something, although it is spoken widely about, that we don't know? Tavayogi too had mentioned the need to come out of Bakthi into attaining Gnanam. Listening on to our telephone conversation, Agathiyar comes later telling me that Gnanam was not gifted by him but we need to earn it. He speaks about the inner journey that the energy in us has to travel to reach its summit whereby Gnanam shall dawn within us. All our experiences put together shall bring on Gnanam mentions Ramalinga Adigal to us.

Meeting over a puja for the Siddhas at the invitation of a devotee of Agathiyar over the past weekend, the fourth such meeting since we moved into the endemic phase, we all tend to agree that it has been a wonderful journey for all of us at Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM) and Agathiyar Universal Mission (AUM). We always go back and watch the documentation on the numerous pujas and events that we carried out all these years. It is truly heartwarming and heart-melting at times.

RAMALINGAM

How did he do it? I used to wonder how Ramalingam, a commoner made it to God's kingdom and came back to fill us in. I used to wonder how he came back for the sake of his devotee and disciple Kalpattu Aiya some 25 years later on 26 April 1902 to put him to rest in samadhi. Ramalingam who came to be known later as Adigal, Swamigal, and Vallalar was not from a priestly clan nor was he of royal birth. He was not from a long lineage of spiritual leaders or religious stakeholders. He was just a son of a commoner. Yet he made it. He tells us eventually that it was God's grace or Arul. Manikavasagar who came before him sings that it is only with God's grace that we can come to praise and worship Him. Ramalinga Adigal told us to hold on tight to Agathiyar as he shall shred and tear down the numerous veils that keep us from attaining oneness with him and Arutperunjhoti. 

Ramalinga Adigal lists how God's grace worked on him to transform him into an image of His in his 1596 verses on Arutperunjothi. Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar breaks this long song down into sub-topics in his publication entitled "Gnanigal Aruliya Tinasari Paaraayana Nool". After the introductory verses, some 336 that end with Arutperunjothi, he begins to give a subtitle for the next verses and similarly for those that follow thereafter.

• ஐம்பூத இயல்வகை 
• மண்ணியல் விரி 
• நீரியல் விரி 
• தீயியல் விரி 
• காற்றியல் விரி 
• வெளி இயல் விரி 
• அகப்புற விரி 
• ஐம்பூதக் கலப்பின் விரி 
• வெளி வகை விரி 
• அண்டப் பகுதி விரி 
• கடல் வகை 
• மலை வளம் 
• எண் வகை 
• வித்தும் விளைவும் 
• ஒற்றுமை வேற்றுமை இயல் 
• அகப் புறப்பூ 
• நால்வகைத் தோற்ற விரி 
• ஆண் பெண் இயல் 
• காத்தருள் விரி 
• அடக்கியருள் விரி 
• திரை விளக்கம் 
• அருளில் தெருட்டல் 
• தனிப் பொருள் 
• மெய்ப் பொருள் 
• பராபர இயல் 
• பதவியல் 
• சிவ ரகசியம் 
• திருவருள் வல்லபம் 
• சிவபதி 
• அருள் குரு 
• உயிர்த் தாய் 
• உயிர்த் தந்தை 
• உயிர்த் துணை 
• உயிர் நட்பு 
• உயிர் உறவு 
• இயற்கை உண்மை (சத்து)
• இயற்கை விளக்கம் (சித்து)
• இயற்கை இன்பம் (ஆனந்தம்)
• அருள் அமுதம் 
• மணி 
• மந்திரம் 
• மருந்து 
• மாற்றாரியாப் பொன் 
• உலவா நிதி 
• ஜோதி மலை 
• இயற்கைப் பொருண்மை 
• தனி அன்பு 
• நித்திய விளக்கு 
• நிறைமதி கருணை மழை 
• செஞ்சுடர் 
• அருட்கனல் 
• பரஞ்சுடர் and ends again with
• அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி

If the beginning verses touch on the creation and slowly Adigal moves into the various bodies that man is made of, seeing God once in the externals, he slowly brings him within. Beginning with His grace திருவருள் வல்லபம் his relationship with the divine blossoms, bringing him on a journey that sees the divine as Sivam சிவபதி, Guru அருள் குரு, and becomes even more personal reaching his Uyir that I understood from Agathiyar to be Life Breath. This Uyir takes on many manifestations including that of Mother உயிர்த் தாய், Father உயிர்த் தந்தை, Partner உயிர்த் துணை, Friend உயிர் நட்பு, and finally a bond that is cemented in the breath for life உயிர் உறவு. Then he becomes one with Nature இயற்கை உண்மை (சத்து). He gains divine understanding இயற்கை விளக்கம் (சித்து) of all things. As a result of this understanding, he moves into a state of total bliss இயற்கை இன்பம் (ஆனந்தம்). Henceforth the divine nectar அருள் அமுதம் flows within and without bringing endless grace to him and to all those who come in touch with him.

Just some days earlier, when a couple who were his followers gave Guru Dakshanai or an honorarium to the guru, Agathiyar asked them "How can one be a guru to another?" Today I understood what he had meant. When duality and separateness are gone and the individual soul merges with the Brahman or the Jivatma merges with the Paramatma where is the distinction between good and evil, student and teacher, etc?

Gnana Bharathi writes in his “Tamil Mannin Thanthai”, drawn by the divine and having worshiped him since young, at 12 years of age Ramalingam followed a guru and traveled the hills and the plains to the abodes of the Siddhas. Coming to know that there was indeed a way to remain immortal he sat in tapas for 12 years under the tutelage of his guru.

At the end of the 12-year tapas, his body glittered like gold and his guru himself could not bring himself to see Ramalingam as he shone with blinding brightness. Ramalingam had attained a body that could not be affected by the five elements and could not be brought down by any other factors. His body was to know no hunger and thirst too, said his guru. His guru blessed him to teach the path to others so that they too could defeat death. Ramalingam was 24 then. 

Ramalingam came back to society. What he saw disturbed him a lot. He felt the sufferings of the innocent people who were being manipulated by certain quarters in all ways possible. Ramalingam began to teach people to worship the Jhoti. If prior to these we were shown God as having many forms, he brought us to the worship of Light. From form to no form. For one who had abstained from naming his guru, he abstained from giving God a form too. 

It is said that numerous attempts were made to take his photo but surprisingly his image could never be caught in films. Could the reason his photo could not be shot - be to ensure that no one would deviate and become sidetracked in worshiping him instead of the formless God he was talking about?

Returning to the day's society, he fought the problems that had cropped up and infiltrated society during that time. Besides discrimination based on caste, and the multitude of religions that had arisen, he saw other faiths moving in and encroaching on the locals who were in a dire state of disarray. He began a journey of propagating his newfound path, the worship of Light. Beginning in Chennai his journey brought him to Thiruvotriyur and Tirutani. Moving to Pondicherry and then later to Chidambaram, Sirgazhi, and Vaitheeswaram, he moved south to Madurai, Thiruvathavur, Thiruperunturai, and Karunkuzhi. He briefly returns to Madurai, before settling at Karunkuzhi from where he used to frequent Chidambaram. 

It is interesting to note that while he undertook this journey to reach out to the masses and bring salvation to their souls when the locals in Patiripuliyur gathered around him and sought his advice as a result of the confusion that had arisen after another movement was telling them that they should leave idol worship, Ramalinga Adigal replied to them to continue what they were currently doing as that was best for them. 

The locals at Vadalur donated a piece of land some 80 acres in size. He started the Dharma Salai to feed the hungry; the Sanmarga Sangam to bring together his followers and the Sanmarga Bhotini Padasalai to educate them in divine knowledge or jnanam. Staying at Karunguzhi he began to supervise and direct the construction of all these buildings. 

Before he entered the room at Sittivalagam Thirumaligai in 1874 and merged with God he told those who had gathered that although he would be out of sight, he would be around another 42,000 years as a Gnana Siddhar and after that take on the form of a Pranava Degi or the Pranava Degam. Gnana Bharathi ends his book by mentioning that Ramalinga Adigal went into a Peranandha Nittirai or the sleep of joy.

RETURNING HOME

Dedication and discipline shall bring us far on this journey. Not seeking to gain personal benefits is a dash of flavor. The rests is garnishing that makes it presentable. Underlying all this is faith in his words and belief that he shall guide us through. The Siddha path has been made simple for us. Understanding the age we live in Agathiyar has formulated simple means to attain Siddhahood. Siddhis are things of the past. They are no more relevant in this age of technology and easy access to all things with a touch of the keys. We are reminded of someone showing off his ability to walk on water. A spectator defuses the excitement by taking a boat across the river. As live has been made more simpler and much work is covered in a jiffy, we can allocate more time to the thought of the divine. Our ancestors had to toil the ground all day long and come home to retire hardly able to allocate time for god. Yet they managed to include god in all their doings. We seem to have distanced god these days. God has become alien to us. Sariyai, Kriyai, and Yogam became the means to bring us back in touch with him.

Just as chicken, sheep and cattle is brought back into its pen at the end of the days grazing, man who is at liberty to seek and fulfil his desires and pleasures is shown his true abode upon attaining Gnanam. He settles in for the night knowing that he shall have a busy day ahead in another birth. 

Sariyai brings us to the abode of God. Kriyai brings us to invite God into our homes. If the former is shown by our parents and ancestors, the latter is shown by the guru and his lineage. With Yogam, the body is made fit and turned into his abode. With his coming within Gnanam arises from within. 

We go in search of a master or mentor once we have a yearning to know or learn something. On the otherhand, it is said that when the time is right the guru comes searching and looking us up. If the former quenches our thirst for bookish knowledge be it academic, religious, or spiritual, the latter brings us into unknown mystical realms. He draws the veil to show us our true self and our Atma. He draws us back into time both the past and the future.

Lahiri Mahasaya narrates how he was called over to his master's abode through a mysterious turn of events. 

My first meeting with Babaji took place in my thirty-third year. In the autumn of 1861 I was stationed in Danapur as a government accountant in the Military Engineering Department.

One morning the office manager summoned me.

"Lahiri," he said, "a telegram has just come from our main office. You are to be transferred to Ranikhet, where an army post is now being established."

With one servant, I set out on the 500-mile trip. Traveling by horse and buggy, we arrived in thirty days at the Himalayan site of Ranikhet.

My office duties were not onerous; I was able to spend many hours roaming in the magnificent hills. A rumor reached me that great saints blessed the region with their presence; I felt a strong desire to see them.

During a ramble one early afternoon, I was astounded to hear a distant voice calling my name. I continued my vigorous upward climb on Drongiri Mountain. A slight uneasiness beset me at the thought that I might not be able to retrace my steps before darkness had descended over the jungle.

I finally reached a small clearing whose sides were dotted with caves. On one of the rocky ledges stood a smiling young man, extending his hand in welcome. I noticed with astonishment that, except for his copper-colored hair, he bore a remarkable resemblance to myself.

"Lahiri, you have come!", the saint addressed me affectionately in Hindi. "Rest here in this cave. It was I who called you."

I entered a neat little grotto which contained several woolen blankets and a few kamandulus (begging bowls).

"Lahiri, do you remember that seat?" The yogi pointed to a folded blanket in one corner.

"No, sir." Somewhat dazed at the strangeness of my adventure, I added, "I must leave now, before nightfall. I have business in the morning at my office."

The mysterious saint replied in English, "The office was brought for you, and not you for the office."

I was dumbfounded that this forest ascetic should not only speak English but also paraphrase the words of Christ.

"I see my telegram took effect." The yogi’s remark was incomprehensible to me; I inquired his meaning.

"I refer to the telegram that summoned you to these isolated parts. It was I who silently suggested to the mind of your superior officer that you be transferred to Ranikhet. When one feels his unity with mankind, all minds become transmitting stations through which he can work at will." He added gently, "Lahiri, surely this cave seems familiar to you?"

As I maintained a bewildered silence, the saint approached and struck me gently on the forehead. At his magnetic touch, a wondrous current swept through my brain, releasing the sweet seed-memories of my previous life.

"I remember!" My voice was half-choked with joyous sobs. "You are my guru Babaji, who has belonged to me always! Scenes of the past arise vividly in my mind; here in this cave I spent many years of my last incarnation!" As ineffable recollections overwhelmed me, I tearfully embraced my master’s feet.

(Source:  http://www.crystalclarity.com/yogananda/chapter-34/)

Never did I expect to be summoned to the Siddhas cave and be jolted into a rare experience back in 2016. I have to thank Nathan for sharing the contents of his Nadi reading. Tavayogi and Mataji were in town then and they had made a visit to the southern tip of Malaysia and crossed over to Singapore to meet some devotees of Agathiyar. Nathan had a Jeeva Nadi reading then. In it he was asked to visit a Siddhas cave in Sungai Siput on a full moon day. When he relayed the matter to me both my wife and I were surprised as my wife was from this town and we hardly knew of the existance of the cave. Enquiring from her father he introduced us to the temple chairman who volunteered to bring us there. He drove us through an estate that was a private property and we emerged into a clearing after a long ride over bare terrain passing by oil palm trees. He stopped at the entrance to a cave. We were introduced to the priest and caretaker. The priest after a small ritual at the temple sited inside the cave volunteered to bring us into the deep chambers of the caves.

The rests is on video. My daughter as usual helped me to document our visits but least did we expect the divine to take charge of the show and put on a mystical show.     

We came to know from the priest that Chitramuthu Adigal spent many years meditating in the cave. Chitramuthu Adigal was both Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal and Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar's guru. Agathiyar in Nathan's Nadi reading says Siddhas are still meditating here. The priests added that there is mention about this cave and Chitramuthu Adigal in the Nadi leaves at Kumbakonam. He pointed us to sea shells and corals on the floor of the cave, remnants of a sea bed from the past. I guess the water levels went down in the past to expose these caves now.

Subsequently we brought other devotees here too when we organized a spiritual tour later. 

SESATRE BANSURI

The first time I met him, he came pulling and tugging a tall rolling luggage. He wore a striking turban. I was wondering why he was traveling with luggage and if he had just arrived from afar. Then he stopped right infront of Jey Raggaveindra's studio. Jey came out to greet him and we were introduced. Sesatre Bansuri was invited by Jey to beautify his music with some pieces of the flute and he did a good job of it. The moment he opened the bag there was a vast assortment of flutes of various sizes and length. 

Both the music director and the musician got to work immediately. If I only knew him as a musician then at the studio, later when Gowri Arumugam arranged for a photo shoot at her apartment only then did I realize that he was well versed with the Siddhas too. We quickly engaged in our favourite talk - that of the Siddhas and how the music album "Agathiyar Geetham" came to be produced. 

SHOW ME THE WAY DEAR LORD

I envy our saints who could be indifferent yet compassionate living in society. While many take to the jungles, mountains, and interiors living away from society equally many choose to stay amongst us living a life of piety. We just can't seem to take a similar stand and show mercy, compassion, and love towards god's other creations when all we are confronted with is enmity, arrogance, stupidity, annoyance, etc. No wonder Jesus, Buddha, Ramalinga Adigal, and others who professed love are seen as divine and Godly. Can we reach their state? I wonder. I guess it needs thousands of births more for us to be polished and molded into their form and reach their state. 

It is truly difficult to live with principles in these trying times. How is it that the saints could do it I wonder? I ask the Lord to guide and show me how it is done. Telling him again last night that I had wasted some precious three years in not being able to sit in his company, contemplate and go within as he had very much wanted me, not that I did not attempt but he had chosen to place numerous obstacles that prevented me from doing so. The neighborhood has become a nightmare. The sight, smell, and noise were driving me crazy. As I became depressed figuring out a way out of the many obstacles laid in my path just when Agathiyar wants me to go within, I see a light at the end of the tunnel. The following song highlights this beautifully.

ராம நாமமே பவதாரகமாய் அருளும் 

ராமதாசரை நம் யோகி அடைந்திடவே 

ப்ரேமையுடன் ராம நாமத்தையே குருவும் 

ஞான தீக்க்ஷையாய் அருளிடவே 

ஏக உணர்வாய் ராம தியானத்திலே ஆழ்ந்து 

மோனப்பொருள் தானென்றுணர்ந்திடவே ...

Its translation to my ability, 

'Finally, Yogi Ramsuratkumar sought Ramdas who extolled the greatness and sacredness of Rama Nama or Lord Rama's name. The guru gave the Lord's name as the Dheeksa mantra to Yogi, something that he too had held sacred. With a sole concentration on the Lord's name, the yogi went within. He realized he was himself the sound of silence.'

Lord Muruga recently told me through a devotee that silence was the ultimate state. 

Even after several earlier visits to Swami Ramdas, Ramdas did not inspire the Yogi. But when the Yogi was ready to receive Ramdas, the latter wasn't. The Yogi had to battle with Ramdas to gain a place in his heart and ashram. S. Parthasarathy writes on this in his book, BIOGRAPHY OF YOGI RAMSURATKUMAR - THE GODCHILD OF TIRUVANNAMALAI (AMARAKAVIYAM).

‘Systematically Swami Ramdas and Mataji Krishnabai made Ram Surat Kunwar (the Yogi’s original name) behave like a mad man and made the world believe that he had become mad. They drove him out of the ashram forcibly so that he would remember them constantly. They used harsh language whenever he was before them among the crowd of the devotees. By doing so Swami Ramdas and Mataji Krishnabai removed his ego totally. But it took a very long time. In the process, the pain, the sufferings he experienced were acute.’

‘Ram Surat Kunwar again asked Swami Ramdas to allow him and his family to live in the ashram. He said, “Papa, I have come here with the great faith that you would allow me with my family to live here. I am not able to work anywhere since the initiation. If you drive me away, where shall I go and how can I live?” Papa vehemently answered, “Go and beg. You cannot live in the ashram. There are enough people in the ashram to work. Remember, under a big tree, another big tree cannot grow. Only thorny bushes and grass alone will grow.” Ram Surat Kunwar shocked on listening to the words of his Master exclaimed, “Papa, should I beg for my food? Am I a beggar, Papa?” Papa, without answering, went inside. From that day Ram Surat Kunwar called himself a beggar. His Guru, His Master, His God asked him to beg and so he became a “beggar”.’

S. Parthasarathy quotes Yogi Ramsuratkumar in his book, 

‘In later years Yogi Ramsuratkumar said “Nobody can love this beggar like my Father Swami Ramdas and nobody can torture this beggar like my Father Swami Ramdas. My Father killed this beggar because He loved this beggar. This beggar died at the holy lotus feet of my father Swami Ramdas in the year 1952. After that my Father alone exists and not this beggar. This name Yogi Ramsuratkumar is not this beggar’s name; it is the name of my Father. Father would always shower his grace on the people who remember this name.’

"Papa (Ramdas) did not allow this beggar to understand Him. The time was not ripe. This beggar had to wait till Papa Himself revealed His Divinity to this beggar, to make this beggar understand that Papa was his Father." – Yogi

S. Parthasarathy writes further,

‘Without adopting any rituals and not leaning on any traditional conditioned customs of the religion, Ram Surat Kunwar braved his path with the pure faith upon his Guru and reached the other shore safely... Without preaching any conventional religious practices, Yogi asked the people to remember his own Name which would evolve them to the highest Spiritual State.’ 

Swami Muktananda mentions in his book SECRET OF THE SIDDHAS, Siddha Yoga Publication, 1980, that his master gave him one word that completely transformed him. And he also mentions he had to spend such a long time with Bhagawan Nithyananda to receive it.

Muktananda says, 

"That word (Guru Om), which I receive after so many years, spread through my body from head to toe like wildfire carried by the wind. It produced in me both inner heat and the coolness of joy. Before meeting my guru I had practiced many different kinds of yoga, but it was I who had practiced them. However, that word activated a spontaneous yoga within me. I was filled with amazement."

 Margaret Simpson writes,

'It was searing red hot and so bright that it dazzled his eyes. Every hair on Baba’s (Muktananda) body rose in awe. He kept repeating, “Guru Om, Guru Om, ” He lost all sense of himself. He only came out of it when Nithyananda made a sound. As he set off for home that day carrying Bhagawan’s sandals on his head Muktananda was filled with wonder and gratitude.'

Swami Muktananda says his joy arises from the one word - Guru Om; from the churning of the love between the guru and the disciple. He adds, "Only the guru can know that delight and taste the elixir that arises in every pore of the body." Ramalinga Adigal too sings of a similar experience and says that only the Lord knows.

As I sat with my wife yesterday to do homam and abhisegam, I read a song written by Bhogar on his guru Agathiyar from a book "Agastya Devamirtham" that was given to me by Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar during her recent visit to AVM. 

குறுமுனி துதிமாலை 

அளவிலா அருள்நிறை ஆனந்த வடிவே ஐயா 

அருள்வேண்டி தான் தொழுது உரைத்திடுவேன் போகன்யான் 

குறித்திடவே குருநாதன் குறுமுனிவன் நாமம்தன்னை 

தானதுவும் புவியினிலே நிகரில்லா வேதம் அப்பா 

Like Yogi Ramsuratkumar, in the very first stanza itself, Bhogar has established the name of his guru as the supreme Veda. 

In a Nadi revelation, we are told of Bhogar's faith, stand and hold on the name of his guru Agathiyar.  Agathiyar reveals the extent of humbleness in his student Bhogar. When once Agathiyar asked Bhogar if he knew Mother Goddess, Bhogar replied he did not know. When asked if he knew Lord Vishnu, he replied he did not know too. When Agathiyar asked if he knew Lord Muruga, again Bhogar to everyone's surprise answered "no". How could one who was behind the making and installation of Lord Muruga's statue at Palani not know him? When asked if he knew about the herbs, he replied in the negative, when he had sought, collected, and done extensive research on numerous herbs. Bhogar had replied that he did not know to all the questions put forward by Agathiyar. This surprised all those gathered. Finally, when asked what he knew, Bhogar answered that he only knew the Holy Feet of his Guru, Agathiyar.

I got the message. We are so used to techniques and methods, either receiving a mantra, a practice, or a ritual to do that we fail to realize it is all in the name of the guru. How foolish I was to await further guidance, technique, and method even after Agathiyar had brought it all to a halt. Yet we stand before him waiting for more. As Mahindran had made me realize Agathiyar's words in telling me that the past three years were not a waste of precious time as I had learned to let go, the group, the organization, the puja, the yoga practice, the Satsang, the charity etc, I am back in the original place chanting Agathiyar's name that was given to me during my initiation by Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal. The mountain is a mountain again. Chanting his name shall bring us within. 

REVISITING AGATHIYAR IN CAREY ISLAND

A friend sent me photos of his visit to Agathiyar's temple in Carey island moments ago. 

It brought back fond memories of our visit and puja we did at this temple in 2018.

View more at SIDDHA HEARTBEAT: AGATHIYAR IN CAREY ISLAND (agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com)

THANK YOU

Mataji taught me a pertinent lesson during her recent visit to Malaysia. She recalled Tavayogi telling her that we shall sow as we go along. Let it grow of its own will. This she said was what was adopted by her too. In sowing the seed those who take up the path shall come along while others leave. I was rather angry in the beginning years of my worship to the Siddhas that many came and left. Once I knew it to be a beautiful Margam or path, I wanted to share the bliss with others. Agathiyar too sent many over to my home beginning with a group of youngsters who stood by me as we ventured to expand our charitable deeds besides carrying out puja. Many stand by me to this day. Many left too I guess failing to see their desires fulfilled. I have come to realize that in coming together as an organized group we should set aside our individual desires and carry out the desires of the guru. Many leave because they want their ideas implemented. Seeing that they are given the cold shoulder they take leave. They then sell their wares elsewhere. The day we are put in charge and take on the role of a guru only then shall we set our own goals as that of the organization. Till then we have to toe the line. 

I too had many ideas that the establishments I visited were not keen to adopt. I decided to travel solo. But Agathiyar then sent his entourage of handpicked souls to come along my journey at least for a while and keep my company and assist with all our events that he had us carry out. I take this moment to thank all these wonderful souls. If I was to list them out it would be a very long list and I fear that I might miss a name or two. 

Looking back and the videos of the events we carried out over the years, I am amazed at the amount of puja and rituals we did. I am equally amazed at the number of charity events we organized. It would not be possible without a helping hand and most importantly attendance by these wonderful souls. They made my day or rather I should say they made Agathiyar's day. 

GRATITUDE

In my travels to India in 2003, I stopped over at Vadalur. Packed with excitement after reading about saint Ramalinga Adigal and his songs, I was deeply disappointed from the very moment I touched the grounds where Ramalinga Adigal had walked. Contrary to the many wonderful experiences I had during my travel, the experience I had there made me tell myself that the saint was not there anymore. I shared this to close ones upon my return. So was I turned off at Chidambaram went a young priest eyed my watch and asked to part with it. I told myself I wasn't coming back to the temple. Agathiyar in a Nadi reading later asked me to visit the place but I refused.

When I and my wife went over to a Siddha samadhi temple that was in the midst of a complete makeover, I told my wife that he was not there anymore. We both wept in the car and returned back without placing our feet there. I shared this experience with close ones later. I have had many beautiful moments with the Siddha when it was a humble dwelling back then. 

But to my surprise, recently Agathiyar asked a devotee to go to this Siddha samadhi temple. Why did he ask her to go when Agathiyar himself had confirmed my earlier observation. Had I erred in my observation? Had I said something contrary to the truth? Have I brought the wrath of the Gods, Siddhas, and gurus upon me?  Then I remembered that when there was some commotion in a temple between two committees claiming to be the rightful "owner" of the deity and temple (and its assets), the presiding deity came through a devotee and told someone close that she was not there anymore. But she turns up when a true seeker or devotee comes. I guess the Siddhas like the deities come to usher their true devotees upon their arrival too. I remember Tavayogi in bringing me to the abodes of the Siddhas in the jungles would turn around and tell me that the Siddhas were ushering us. Agathiyar in the Nadi has told us to go on pilgrimages telling us that he would be there to usher us. True to his words he has appeared in many forms to greet us at these places.

Man needs to transform both physically and subtly, both in body and mind and in the habits that become his character later. We are here for this purpose. This transformation can only take place here, hence the reason the saints have reiterated over and over again about the priceless commodity that we have brought with us - our body and mind. It is rare to have a human birth they say. Only a human can transform into the nature of God. Many saints and Siddhas have done it and have shown us the way to it. 

But before we venture to become godly we need to first step into sainthood. This does not mean discarding our clothing and draping on a kaavi or loincloth. We have to inculcate the noble values, that goodness that overrides its opposite. Become a good man first. This man then will be seen as a divine person in the eyes of others. This man shall then be elevated to the status of the divine as Ramalinga Adigal sings of his rise to the statue of the divine with gratitude. 

We have failed to show our gratitude to the divine many a times. When the rules were slackened as we began to come out of the recent pandemic, as I was having my lunch in a Chinese restaurant a Chinese man came up to me and asked if I could share the table with him as the others were taken. Even before taking his first mouthful he immediately began to speak about the health and economic crisis as a result of the numerous lockdowns and shutdowns. I wondered what was the reason he came to the restaurant? Was it to appease his hunger or start a conversation? His business, like many others, had been hit hard he said and went on to rattle about it. I stopped him midway and asked him if he would have shown me his bank statements and

spoken to me about the profits he made,  in good times? Now, why was he sharing his losses when things are bad? I told him to be grateful for all the good years prior to the pandemic. He zipped up.

Whenever someone begins to talk about their illnesses, sufferings, misery, etc, I tell them that they should be grateful that it had only reared its ugly head now and not sooner. I ask them to be grateful for the good years they had prior to falling ill or meeting with the tragedy. I shut them up forcefully.

Many are visibly shaken when those close and dearest to them suddenly fall ill. They ask me to pray for their recovery. I used to do so back then. These days I only pray for the kids who have a future ahead of them. I stand for them before the deities telling the gods that it was not fair to penalize them at such a young age. As for the elderly, I tell their family to send them off happily as they have lived life to the fullest. We need to learn to let go. Many saints have taught us to let go. The Buddhist monks in creating the mandala, taking the pain to produce such masterpieces eventually after a simple ritual, destroy their very creation. They teach themselves not to be tied down or shackled to the merits of their work or its results. They teach the world that nothing is permanent. When a mother lost her child she came to the Buddha hoping that he could revive the child. The Buddha told her that she had to ask for alms from the village folks first. He laid a condition too. She was only to receive the alms from those homes that had not seen death occur. She left on this venture, knocking from door to door but returned empty-handed as she came to realize that there was a death in every family. The bereaved mother became composed and collected and accepted the truth. 

When a mantra initiation is given or we are told to chant a particular mantra do not take up the mouse and search the internet for the rewards of chanting it. Neither verify the mantra if it was spelled or pronounced right. Instead, take up the practice of chanting it immediately. The results will be seen in good time with our concerted effort put in. The results written about or spoken about by others might not necessarily apply to us.

When I received the Moola Mantra that Agathiyar gave me in my Nadi reading in the past, I began to recite it. Soon l wanted to share the goodness of this mantra with others and posted it on YouTube. My friend's brother dropped by and questioned why he was given a slight variation of the mantra also through the Nadi?

When someone was given a mantra recently by Agathiyar in the Nadi, he started comparing the transcript of the reading and the audio recording and noticed a difference. He pointed it out to me. I had to tell him that the mantra does not matter. It is just a tool to get us to sit in the first place. I narrated the story of the over-zealous young monk who left his monastery to preach to others on the orders of his master. I had carried this story numerous times in this blog. But it looks like no one is reading. Upon arriving at the river that cut off the village from the monastery atop the hill, he waited for the boatman to cross the river. He then happened to notice an old man mumbling to himself. Going over to him he realized that the old man was chanting the mantra given to him at the monastery. But he realized that the old man was saying it wrong. The young lad enthusiastic to teach the old man the right way to recite the matra told him that he was saying it wrongly and went ahead to correct him. The old man listened and followed him. The young monk who was pretty pleased with his achievement stepped into the next boat that came by to cross the river. In the middle of the river, the young monk noticed the boatman's jaw drop. What was it that made the boatman who was facing the river bank from where he had alighted the boat, go pale? The kid turned around to see the old man stand behind them, his legs standing on water! The old man bent toward the kid and asked him to repeat the mantra as he had forgotten it in that short time. The kid knowing his foolishness begged for forgiveness and followed him back to the river bank.

When we sit before a Nadi reading take the message and leave. Do not investigate the instrument, either the reader or the Nadi leaves for its authenticity. 

Man wants to be rewarded without putting in the effort. Agathiyar tells me Gnana too is not gifted by him but comes with our effort. At the end of the journey, traveling the spiral path, traversing the chakras we shall arrive at it he says, not any sooner nor does it come as a gift.

At Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM) we broke a few rules. We brought many changes to our worship of the Siddhas. The dynamic and youthful group we had then took to these changes easily. It was easy to work on them. I dread to think how I would have managed the older ones. They can never be molded or chiseled. They find it so difficult to move away from their hold on tradition. 

Speaking to two heads of missions under Agathiyar's name, I put forth the idea of reducing their current rituals and shortening the festivity by dropping some events. But they explained that those were time-held traditions that they fear disrupting less they are scorned that they broke tradition.

I guess that is the reason Lord Muruga in wanting me to build a temple for him told me that I shall do it differently when I questioned the need for yet another temple for him. I guess this is what I did in a past birth and earned the wrath of fellow Namboothiri priests in Kerala too. They and others had cursed me for going against tradition and changing it. 

செல்வனுக்கு ஷண்முகமே பெருமாகும் 

சாதகனும் முன் உருவில் கேரளத்தில் 

தேசத்தில் முதல்வர்க தனவான் செய்யாக 

தான் இவனும் ஆலய சேவை செய்ய 

கான இவன் வேதம் அதை முறையும் மாற்றி 

சாதகனோ உரைத்திடவே சாபம் பெற்றான் 

தான் இவனோ இது பிறவி அதனால் தோற்றம் 

சாற்றும் நாள் வாழ்ந்து வர சாபம் தொடர ..

I seem to have carried this vasana or urge to change things in this birth too for when I stepped into the Siddha path I was not easily satisfied with whatever little that was available then. I had to know the truth rather than follow like the sheep. After receiving the calling to see the Nadi and after Agathiyar made a calling to me to join his path, I went knocking on many doors but was not satisfied. Agathiyar then sent Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal to Malaysia where I am nudged to go over and see him. He takes me and my wife into the path officially giving us an initiation. My children followed us. 

I guess the reason I came to the Siddha path is that here is where we can venture to experiment with the means and the tools and gain the experiences in attaining the goals. We are given the freedom to explore and satisfy the Soul. This is not made available in traditional and religious centers of worship and learning. I guess the reason both Ramalinga Adigal and Mahakavi Bharathi are considered Siddhas too is that they broke the rules. Tavayogi once told me that the Siddha cannot be caged up or shackled. The Atma too needs to be free to experiment and realize. When I told him my sadness in not being able to bring next of kin and close ones into the fold of the Siddhas, Tavayogi who came through a devotee asked that I let it be. They have come to live life and its pleasures. Let then exhaust these desires he added. 

Sailing the river for some 20 years on these calm waters I guess Agathiyar is pleased with all the puja and rituals that we did all these years. He has asked us to know the Atma and gain release or Atma Viduthalai. We look towards him to show us the way.

AGATHIYAR KUZHAMBU

I took Agathiyar Kuzhambu this morning. I felt nauseous and had stomach cramps almost immediately began to expel wind and gas and started burping. Dizziness came on as I lay in bed. I began to have bowel movements too immediately too. An hour later I vomited bile and phlegm. Mucus was discharged too when I blew my nose. Two hours later the effects seem to wear off. 

This time around it was very mild compared to the earlier round I took this concoction that made me writhe in pain throw up and purge. I truly made a mess then. Thanks to my wife she was on hand to clean me and the mess I made. I guess my body internals was cleaner n more purified this time. During the third hour as the solids were expelled the remaining fluids in the bowels were drained off too.

I am sorry if I am giving a detailed account of the matter. Siddha physicians and medical doctors of the past are known to ask about our stools in detail before administering treatment. Our stools show the condition of our internals.

Agathiyar while recommending a herbal concoction to a couple, made it available to me too. He directed us to Siddha physician Thiru Arivan Aiya of the Arulguru Agathiyar Arulsidhar Peedam, also known as Agathiyar Yoga Herbs Centre and officially registered as the Agathiyar Arul Shakti Peedham. Agathiyar told me later that his Agathiyar Kuzhambu besides being a purgative strengthens the body too. Elsewhere we are delighted to know that this "classical sastric herbo - mineral Siddha medicine Agathiyar Kuzhambu can be used for all 4448 diseases." 

Blockages that are a result of our previous lifestyles result in imbalances and disorders in the body and the imbalance in the 3 dosas or bodily humor namely Vatam or wind, Pittam or bile, and Kapam or phlegm. This necessitates the need for Deha Suddhi. Agathiyar gave us his Agathiyar Kuzhambu to consume for the purpose of Deha Suddhi. Agathiyar Kuzhambu is said to be one of the 32 Siddha medicines taken internally listed in the "Gunapadam Siddha" text literature, which covers a vast area of indications. "It contains 11 ingredients which are mentioned in the Siddha formulary of India - part -1, that when combined act as a purgative. Besides being a purgative it is said to cure many diseases too." (Source: Muralidass SD and Shree-Devi MS: “Agathiyar Kuzhambu”- not only a purgative- an overview. Int J Pharm Sci & Res 2019; 10(5): 2156-63. doi: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.10(5).2156-63.). 

And it did an excellent job of cleansing the house.

THE NEED TO TURN TO YOGA

A friend who was in pain on Wednesday due to kidney stones was given outpatient treatment and sent home for the private medical center had no beds for him to recuperate if an operation was done immediately. He returned again the following day and was operated on as his pain increased. He was temporarily bedded in the physiotherapy clinic before a bed was vacant in the wards. A pharmacist at another private hospital too noticed that the hospital had a sudden increase of patients and was taking on patients beyond their capacity. I asked her if it was Covid patients but she replied "No" and that people came in for numerous other illnesses. This scenario previously was seen in government hospitals has those who could not afford the high charges at these private hospitals turned to the general hospitals for the fees are minimal as they are heavily subsidized by the government. Why is this sudden surge in people not well and seeking medical aid?

My brother who wrote a piece for an online news portal quotes The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 that "showed that 22% of the Malaysian population aged 13 and older rated their health as “not good”...." and that the "Government spending on healthcare has been on the rise over the years." Many are looking towards Yoga as a solution according to his report. Read on at https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2022/06/24/bringing-down-healthcare-costs-one-yoga-asana-at-a-time/

He suggests that "It’s time to vigorously promote yoga to enhance health and reduce medical costs." Let us beef up our practice of Yoga too to stay healthy. But before everyone rushes en masse to take up Yoga, the Siddhas caution us to learn under the watchful eyes of a competent master. They ask that we worship the Siddhas too so that they can come to our aid in the event we "hurt" ourselves while practicing it without a tutor. My brother knows too for he picked up Yoga from the books in the beginning and had severe bodily pains due to blockages. I too picked up from books and many years later learned from watching Tavayogi perform the asanas and pranayama before us during one of his visits. I too had severe back pain as a result of the three dosas going haywire in me for some 2 1/2 years. Agathiyar and Lord Murugan came to my aid, the former giving prescriptions in his Nadi and the latter coming through another and healing my back. Acharya Gurudasan who taught us later takes us carefully on a journey in Yoga through the following videos.