Agathiyar of Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM) is curently at Pothihai Tharmanyaana Chakkram (PTC) staying behind after a puja conducted on 3rd July by the hosting couple and devotees Sri Krishna and Sri Dewi and their children. They have since decorated and conducted daily pujas for him.
Sri Krishna was brought up in the circle of Nadi readers from India frequenting his uncle's place where he grew. So the Nadi is no mystery to him. After he married Sri Dewi she too took up the path of the Siddhas with much devotion. Sri Krishna besides helping out in translating the Nadi for non-Tamils took them to carry out the parikaram or remedies stipulated in their Nadi both locally and to India too. This couple who were trained in Siddha medicine by the late Dr.Krishnan although they have not made that their occupation, do prepare herbal preparations when the need arises. They have taught yoga and general well-being to the young and old. They took it up upon themselves to feed the hungry extending this charity to schools, orphanages, the homes of the poor, and to the street feeding many hungry souls in their lifetime. Beginning as Agathiyar Universal Mission (AUM) today they are known popularly as Pothihai Tharmanyaana Chakkram (PTC). We at AVM, and our charity wing Amudha Surabhi (AS) were introduced to street feeding by this couple who personally took us along to the many spots where the poor and homeless spend their days and nights in Kuala Lumpur. We take this opportunity to thank this couple who have shared so much with us in the past.
This couple also conducts the abhisegam and puja for Agathiyar at Sri Kasi Visalatchi Sametha Sri Kasi Visvanathan Swamy Thirukovil at Eco City temple.
Today is Guru Purnima a day to show our respects, homage, and thanks to all the gurus and upagurus who came by in our lives and previous lives too and nourished our soul, taking us to greater heights. I was blessed to be shown my gurus instead of searching for one. Hence I was saved from going through dissatisfaction that some have had with their gurus during their search. I met someone who left to explore the Siddha path and search for his ideal guru at age 25. He was complaining about his previous experiences with his gurus and the establishment. He was then in his late fifties.
In fact, though I carried out puja at dawn and dusk in my home, I never actually went looking for any guru having settled for the pantheon of deities at my altar. I did have some photos and paintings of gurus that I recovered from devotional magazines pinned to the walls of my prayer room back then. That was as much as my devotion was back in those days. In 2001 my nephew came by to deliver the Vasudeva mantra and later a painting of Lord Dhakshanamurthy to be worshipped telling me that I shall meet my guru soon. This message came through him as an energy. I was asked not to question the source. Several years later he tells me that Agathiyar through his Paramaguru Gopal Pillai who had gone into samadhi had delivered the message.
A year later I had a calling to see the Nadi when my colleague spoke about his experience reading his Nadi in 2000. I soon stood at the door of Nadi Nool Aasan Sentilkumar. Agathiyar told me that he was my Moola guru. He also told me that I shall meet my guru unexpectedly. Fulfilling the calling to go to India to carry out several remedies for my past karma I stood at the door of Supramania Swami of Nachananthal village in Tiruvannamalai. I soon found out that he was the guru Agathiyar had mentioned. Several years later I stood at the door of a local affiliate at Batu Caves of Kallar Ashram, India, where its patron Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal had come to officiate. Tavayogi initiated me and my wife and officially took us into the Siddha path. Agathiyar told me that he had sent both my gurus to tutor and nurture me on different aspects of spiritualism.
I was blessed to have many upagurus come by and teach me a thing or two. I take this opportunity to list down and thank all of them on this auspicious day.
My parents Avadaiyappa Chettiar and Valliammai. I pay my respects to both paternal and maternal ancestors through whose grace I come to touch the path of the Siddhas.
My siblings.
My family.
The years 1980 to 1988 - Sethu Madhavan, Sivaraman, and Kandiah, senior colleagues at our project site in Lumut, with whom I had many hours of discussion during my bachelor days.
The many books and their authors that served to guide me in yoga and prayers.
1994 onwards - Sethu, a senior colleague in Kuala Lumpur who passed me audio cassettes of the Thiruarutpa that opened my heart to seek and know more about Ramalinga Adigal. He introduced me to Dr.Krishnan, an astrologer, and Siddha physician, rekindling my interest in astrology and Siddha medicine.
1994 - Segaran another colleague in my office who passed me a painting of Lord Shiva, Paramahansa Yogananda's "Autobiography of A Yogi" and a word of advice that brought me immense benefits, before his resignation and departure to India to become a monk at Ranchi Ashram. I learned from this wonderful book about the Guru Disciple relationship for the very first time.
1996 onwards - The late Dr.Krishnan guided me and my family in casting our horoscope and treating us. He was also the very first guru to initiate me into Agathiyar's mantra etching out a yantra too to go with it and passing me a rasamani to adorn. He was the first person to speak to me about the Siddhas and their Nadi.
2001 - My nephew Thayalan Arumugam who passed me the Vasudeva mantra and painting of Lord Dhakshanamurthy, and his Gurus Gopal Pillai and Swami Annamalai who were conduits for me to receive them from Agathiyar.
2002 - My colleague Muralitharan Saminathan and Sivabalan who made it possible for me to have a Nadi reading. Nadi Nool Aasan Senthilkumar who read my Nadi, and guided me on the worship of the Siddhas in a ritual called Naadikku Dhaanam or in paying homage to the Nadi and its authors.
2003 - My first guru Supramania Swami of Thiruvannamalai to whom I am indebted for life. He was the beacon that lit up my life.
2005 - Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal who came to nurture the flame further and Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar who was supportive of all our ventures.
2010 - Agathiyar who came in the form of a bronze statue and filled our home with his grace. The handful of devotees Thayalan, Surenthiran Selvaratnam, Maran, Ganesan, family, and friends who came by to pay homage to him and participate in the puja.
2013 - Thondu Seivom Bala Chandran Gunasegaran who came to witness the Pournami Puja at my home after his Nadi reading and who later brought his friends to read the Nadi and participate in our puja. Mahindren who I believe was sent over to dress up Agathiyar in grandeur after his libation or abhisegam.
The Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM) family that grew in size to a hundred who supported us in all our puja and charity activities. Masters Gowri Varadhan or Acharya Gurudasan, Uvaraj, Arunan who taught us yoga and treated us using Varmam and Energy Healing. Siddha physician and astrologer Arivananthan Aiya who has passed me numerous herbal preparations and is taking care of all of us well.
Sri Krishna and his wife Sri Dewi of the Agathiyar Universal Mission (AUM) who were role models for us to follow in serving the hungry, poor, and unfortunate.
It has been a wonderful journey with some wonderful people around me. I appreciate all that they have done for me and my family and towards preserving the arts, practices. rituals and teachings of the Siddhas. My pranams to all of them.
Mahin has invited me to Sri Jeganathar temple in a town called Tapah some 125kms away this weekend. This is the samadhi temple of a lesser-known saint, known only to older folks in the town and its vicinity until Tavayogi came along and spelled out the saint's life and times to us. Tavayogi after coming to Chitramuthu Adigal as a disciple learned about Jeganathar. Chitramuthu Adigal who was also in then Malaya for the most part of his life was a disciple of Jeganathar. Tavayogi compiled an article on them for his Tirupur Thaiveedu Prathanai Kuzhu magazine. He read it out to us in an event we arranged in Ipoh in 2008.
A recording was made of his speech. I have since uploaded numerous videos on it to YouTube. The irony is that the temple priests passed an audio cd of this speech to Tavayogi the man himself on his visit to the temple in 2016 telling us that they had a recording of a Swamiji speaking about Jeganathar and that it was for sale. We all looked at each other and told the priests that the Swamiji was none other than Tavayogi.
Since then we began to drop in on Jeganathar each time we either went back hometown or returned to our home back in Kuala Lumpur. Once he took control of me or Atkondraar and I was in a state of extreme joy. He came to us and walked the grounds of his temple. He blessed both my daughters and my wife. We were surprised that all through this time he was present others did not take notice. A group of followers of a wondering Swamiji in the order of Adi Sankarachariar were camping for over a week at the temple but none took notice of what transpired next to them. It was as if a curtain was pulled over the whole episode.
Similarly, when I was overcome by the energy at Lord Dhakshanamurthy's sannadhi at the famed Egambeswarar temple in Trichy, except for the priests from Paalur who volunteered to accompany me there, the resident priest and the gatekeeper and caretaker of Egambeswarar temple, and Deva who drove me around, none took notice of the incident. When the caretaker told me to compose myself the priest from Uttamar temple told him to let me cry. Again it was as if a curtain was pulled over the whole episode.
Again on my second visit to this temple and Lord Dhakshanamurthy's sannadhi, I broke down and fell to the ground. I felt Jnana Jothiamma who was accompanying me and my family stroke my legs and back trying to comfort me. My family stood clear as they had been told from the beginning by Agathiyar to just watch and they just watched. Again it was as if a curtain was pulled over the whole episode as no one took notice of what was going on.
Traveling with Tavayogi, on day 10, when Tavayogi, my brother, and I were at Papanasam, Agathiyar said the same too that the miracles were for our eyes only - three of us. Before we left Courtallam Tavayogi took us to a Shivan temple, Lord Kutralanathar in town. At the Shiva temple was a shrine for Agathiyar, just behind the Sakti Peedham in the outer precincts of the temple. In "Babaji's Gita" written by Yogi Ramaiah, we read that Babaji "initiated" the temple authorities who built the shrine of Agathiyar and installed a statue for Babaji too. This shrine was built on the exact spot where Babaji was initiated by Agathiyar, writes the Yogi. We sat at Agathiyar and Babaji's shrine and Tavayogi started singing. Tavayogi and my brother were seated to my right but as there was a pillar that obstructed my view of them, I could not see them. Tavayogi broke down as he sang a song from Ramalinga Adigal's Thiruarutpa, 'Indru varumoh naalaiku varumoh allathu mathendru varumoh'. That's when I thought I saw Agathiyar open and shut both his eyes. I got up to move closer, to get a better view and to confirm what I had seen. True enough there was Agathiyar opening and closing both his eyes, which were human-like. When we were at Agastiyampalli the previous day, Agathiyar had opened his left eye only. But it was different then as Agathiyar had opened his left eye that was sculptured in the granite figure. Eyes that were sculptured closed originally, were now watching me - only his left. Here at Courtallam, it was human eyes that were watching me. I stood still, amazed, my sight fixed on Agathiyar's eyes. A moment later I called my brother over to have a look too. I pointed out to him each time the sage opened and closed his eyes. But he was silent, just as I was back at Agasthiyampalli then. That's when Tavayogi called out to us saying, "You have seen, have you? Come, come, let's leave." (Paarthuthingaleh, vanga pohvohm). Again it was for our eyes only.
Prior to witnessing this miracle, Agathiyar had opened his left eyes in his granite statue at Agasthiyampalli. He had told me in the Nadi reading before I left Malaysia that he would look at me when I arrived at this temple. As Tavayogi who brought me there and I alighted from the car that I had hired for my entire trip two men seated near the Rajagopuram or main entrance to the temple got up. The one in pants and shirt left whole another clad only in vesti to our surprise ushered us and led the way for us to follow. He led us straight to Agathiyar's sannadhi. As Tavayogi sat down to start singing and meditating as he did elsewhere the old man stopped him. He told us to circumambulate the temple and worship Lord Shiva in the inner chamber first and come back to Agathiyar. We did as told. He was waiting for us at Lord Shiva's sannadhi. He showed the flame or aratti and brought us out into the open. He walked to a spot and pressed his thumb on the ground telling us that that was the spot Agathiyar had pressed his thumb to bring about balance to the world as it had tilted due to the presence of all the Gods gathered to witness Lord Shiva and Parvathy's marriage in Kailash in the past. He then left us. We continued with our prayer. After singing the names of the Siddhas Agathiyar had yet to open his eye as promised in the Nadi. I noticed that Tavayogi was then standing in the open. I moved over to him. He told me that Agathiyar was opening and closing his eyes and pointed it out to me. I could hardly make it out in the heat and bright light of the early afternoon. All I saw was a dark chamber. I guess Tavayogi was disappointed that I could not see the miracle as he told me, "Let's take some photos" and led me into Agathiyar's sannadhi again. He asked me to go and sit with Agathiyar. As I feared crossing the threshold I chose to sit on it. Tavayogi threw me his shawl and asked me to sit on it. What do you know? As I turn to look at Agathiyar he opens his left eye to look back at me. Before I could express my joy and surprise and excitement Tavayogi pulls me away from that spot telling me that they will only show a little while. We left the temple. Again it was for our eyes only.
Next closer to home, as we walked into the dark caves of Sri Shanmuganathar cave temple in Sungai Siput, I was literally lifted up and thrown into a dark pit by the immense energy at the spot where Chitramuthu Adigal had meditated. I was spared injury as I walked out of the pit with assistance from my wife after I tried to lift myself. As usual, they stood watching until then. What surprised me was that the "temple priest' and his "aid' too watched over the episode. Again it was for our eyes only.
A friend at the office had a wonderful experience at Jeganathar's temple. He had accompanied his friend and wife and their two children to the temple. As it was way past 12 midnight they decided to stay there and leave in the morning. As the infant was screaming his head off in hunger the parents attended to him. The 2-year-old daughter of theirs who was playing by herself let out a scream too suddenly. Upon enquiring, she pointed to Jeganathar's photo and told them that "Grandpa had carried me!"
In the many Nadi readings that I have had before, Agathiyar has said many nice things about me and the future. After self-assessment, I know pretty well that I do not deserve his praise and all the good things to come as he predicted. It only goes to show the amount of compassion he has for us.
I was a sinner. I find it difficult to fit into the ideal person that we always envisioned. I could never conform to the ideal person depicted by the saints and the sacred texts either. Someone after coming to know that I only take satvic food immediately hinted that "You do not get angry, right?" It doesn't work for me. I am an angry person and still am. I was counseled by Agathiyar for close to an hour through the Nadi reading in the past. But I guess the habit has become a character. Now I can only plead that the dear Lord accept it as my Guna.
Similarly, I know that I have many flaws and am daily trying to combat them all. I have fears too. I have anguish and worries too. In those times I call out to Agathiyar to help me overcome these feelings. I reach out for the Shanmuga Kavasam by Pamban Swami and the many other Kavasams or songs that serve as shields in times of danger and illness. I reach out for the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra that calms us driving our fears away. I reach out to the Dhanvantri mantra that keeps the illnesses under check. I light the homam and pray that the dangers and illness go away. Though we set out to do our very best and are awfully careful at all times, misfortune does strike us when we let our guard down. These misfortunes are saved to say for the rainy day when it pours, wets, and drenches us. Though he has set the chain of the law of cause and effect into motion he is at hand to assist us in overcoming our sufferings and misery in our times of need if only we look up to him first and later learn to look within. Here then the Siddhas come as an umbrella. They stand by us in these trying times.
So how is it I wonder Agathiyar has given a perfect picture of me? I guess what he is implying is that the number of hours sitting in puja and doing charity over the past 20 years to a certain extent has offset these weaknesses in me. I guess it does not bother him anymore if I was perfect or imperfect for he always speaks about seeing our souls only. The Atma we are told is untainted and pure and one with God. God who walked the earth in the past now walks and sees the world often extending aid to others, the needy and unfortunate through us.
Nevertheless, I am truly grateful to him for even considering me as a candidate and taking me as a student on the path. My wife says he knows who has the potential to evolve further and tirelessly works on them. Even if we were to forget him he comes in a timely manner to remind the individual of his past connection. Hence we have seen many would-be saints reminded by a sage or an incident from their past and are connected again taking up the calling. Eventually, they are molded into saints and sages themselves.
It truly makes you wonder who he is? Hence the lyrics of the first song penned jointly by Tavayogi and Gowri Arumugam of Raagawave Production aptly ask the same "Who are you?" (Yaarappa Nee Konjum Sollappa).
I feel lost now more than ever before since we have come to know many a thing. If before coming to the path we had no knowledge about the cause and effect dilemma, about the several bodies we carry with us, about the enormous other worlds in existence and their inhabitants, ignorance back then was indeed bliss. Wanting to pursue and know further has driven us in circles. Thinking that we have understood something comes up that trashes our former understanding. We start again from where we left. It is a never-ending journey. And we thought we could comprehend all these using our intellect and bookish learning. Nay. It is beyond our understanding and human perception. It is beyond time and space. It is beyond logic and science, laws and formulas. It is sacred and a great secret. The key to this knowledge is with the guru.
It is only through his grace that the door is opened and we are let in. Try as you may to knock on it or bring it down forcibly only emptiness shall meet your eyes as Ramalinga Adigal said in both accounts. If in the former he pleaded to Lord Shiva to open the door in the latter he informed those gathered moments before his departure from the face of the earth that if the authorities should come and forcefully open the door that he shut only an empty room shall meet their eyes.
Will the good Lord let me on his secrets too? Will he open the great door to the great universe out there? Will I join their list of names as Music Director Ilayaraja scripts the lyrics to his song on Annamalaiyaar? Will I make it on the list as Ramalinga Adigal proudly tells the world of his acceptance into the fold of the Siddhas?
Only his grace shall pave the way for it. I await with a yearning heart and open palms for that day when all the veils are shred apart and Gnanam dawns.
We read a verse from the "Shivanandha Botham", a discourse between the Manam and the Arivu, where the Manam is told how a disciple should carry himself before his Guru. This appeared in "Tirupur Thaiveedu Prathanai Kuzhu 1994 magazine".
ஐயமின்றி யுடல், பொருள், ஆவி, மூன்றும் ஆண்டவனே உன்னதென் றளித்து பின்னும் துய்யகுரு நாதனுக்கே அடிமையாகிச் சொன்னபடி கேட்பதற்கே தொண்டனாகி மெய்யென்றே அவர் மனமும் களிக்கும் மட்டும் வேண்டினதோர் சோதனைக்கு மிதத்திடாமல் செய்யதிரு மலரடியிற் காத்திருந்தாற் செவியதனி லூபதேசம் செய்வார்தாமே
To whom shall the Guru pass on his Gnana Upadesam?
To the one who sacrifices, without doubting his Guru, his Udal, Porul, and Aavi to his Guru who he regards as his God.
Hence becoming his slave,
Following each instruction as would a servant,
Thus bringing joy to the Guru,
Not giving up under the pressure that comes with his tests,
I do not have many visuals of my first guru Supramania Swami as I had only met him twice at Thiruvannamalai, the first time in 2003 and again in 2005. But Tavayogi frequented Malaysia several times and we had a great time. So here are some visual stories on Tavayogi as a means of showing my gratitude to him too as we celebrate Guru Purnima next Wednesday, 13 July.
I did not do much for Supramania Swami in the 4 years I knew him. I only helped him realize his dream of building a temple for Lord Murugan which to our surprise was halted by a stranger vagabond. Swami gave me the full merits of his life's tapas or austerities telling me that that too should be left behind. I did not realize then that he was teaching me non-attachment to all things even our practice and its benefits.
When Agathiyar in my Nadi introduced Tavayogi as my guru, I read the Nadi to Supramania Swami on my second visit after 2 years in 2005 which was also the last time I saw him before he attained samadhi at 10.20 am, on Wednesday, 7 February 2007, four days after I spoke to him. Like a child, he was so excited to know about Agathiyar's Nadi and asked if he could have a reading too. He enquired about Agathiyar and the Nadi further from this ignorant child. That is when I told him that I had a vested interest in wanting to help him with the temple. I said to him that Agathiyar in the past had helped put up a shed and cared for Lord Murugan who was then a wondering sage called Supramaniar. At the end of his tapas and upon achieving the state of Light Supramaniar promised Agathiyar who too was a son and husband to commoners and not a Siddha then, that he shall meet him in another birth and deliver him to his state. I too had thought if I could achieve the same serving Supramania Swami. Hearing this story and my reason for serving him Supramania Swami immediately without second thought or hesitation gave me all the merits of his tapas. I understand pretty well today that the guru can hasten his student's spiritual progress and turn the dice around. Life would have been a struggle trying to achieve my targeted goal if not for the grace of my gurus.
Tavayogi who came along and took me as his student in 2005 said that he was surprised that we had come to Agathiyar without much struggle like he and others had to endure. I guess the grace of the guru helped me sail through the rapids or rather diverted me onto a river that was clear of rapids.
I only knew Supramania Swami for some 4 years and only met him twice. The rest of the time we would snail mail and occasionally he would talk from STD booths when he came in into Thiruvannamalai town. When I passed him a cellphone on my second visit we spoke regularly. He had briefly mentioned him and his 5 gurus on my first visit which was a mesmerizing 5-hour meet. I only came to know his full life history when I visited him again in 2005 when both his wife and son filled me in.
Supramania Swami was born on 17 July 1943 on Kritigai Natchathiram, a Monday in the Tirutani Murugan temple grounds. His mother was taking a kavadi when she had labor pains and delivered Supramanian. Supramanian’s grandfather Thuraisamy Pillai was a Vaisnavite from Aadi Peedham, Ladavaram near Tiruvannamalai. He was an accountant (Kanaku Pillai) at Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarer temple. Supramanian’s father Jayaram Pillai was a teacher at Reddi Kuppam, Anaikoyil. Supramanian’s uncles were teachers too.
Supramanian’s father became his first guru when he gave him an initiation or teecha on Lord Murugan. Later Supramanian moved to Thiruchendur where he made a livelihood selling flowers and garlands to support his mother and himself. He used to pull the temple chariot for seven consecutive years wearing sandals with nails on them. He put on the garb resembling Lord Murugan and took part in plays or dramas held at the temple grounds on festival days.
Supramanian was married at the age of 31.
He then started performing miracles. Attired in a banana tree bark, he would grab a handful of sand, which turned to sacred ash (Vibhuti), Kumkum, or Panjamirtham accordingly. This he gave to people, who were then cured of their ailments. He spent seventeen years atop Tiruvannamalai hill. During this period he indicated to the locals the site of a vel that was buried by a Siddha in the hills of Tiruvannamalai. As Ramana Maharishi says, “Just as a man who is drunk is not conscious whether his upper cloth is on his body or has slipped away from it, the Jnani is hardly conscious of his body, and it makes no difference to him whether the body remains or has dropped off”, Supramanian who was in a similar state of mind went about performing miracles and curing folks. Supramanian had no memory of what transpired during that period. He only heard about his antics after miraculously gaining his memory through consuming food given by a stranger woman. Although he came back to a state of normality after consuming the miracle food, his ability or Sitti of changing sand and earth to vibhuti prasadham continued for some time and stopped on its own after he had his second daughter.
I remember pretty well the last conversations I had with Supramania Swami over the phone 4 days before he attained samadhi.
I could not get through to Supramania Swami for some time then. That evening there was someone trying to call me on my phone numerous times. However, each time I answered the line went dead or disengaged. I then thought if it could be Swami trying to get through to me. When I called his phone, he answered. “I have not forgotten you,” he said. “How can I forget you; you have given me a place to stay", referring to the kudil that we had collectively built for him. He blessed me. Then he said, “I am seeing the Jhoti. At times, it stays on for half an hour. My time is nearing. Ask Ramesh (referring to the Nadi Guru I used to frequent) to see when my day will come so that I can send you word and you can be present.” I cried like a child. He told me he wanted to start a fast of silence (Mauna Virutham) beginning on 31 January 2007 for a forty-eight-day period. The day he chose to start the fast would be the eve of the day that Ramalinga Adigal became one with the light Arutperunjhoti.
I till this day cannot comprehend why I called Swami's number on 3 February 2007 having been told that he was going into silent mode. Surprisingly Swami answered his phone. When I apologized for calling him and making him break his fast, he replied, “No harm done. I shall talk to you.” He told me he had started the fast on wheat porridge, chapatti, and milk since the last full moon day, 1 February 2007, and would end his fast on Pangguni Utiram day – a fast that would now last 60 days. He did not speak to anyone, only writing out on paper if required. But he made an exception for me. I realize now as I pen these words that that is the grace and compassion of the guru. He told me I am letting loose of my senses. He asks me to meditate and be focused. He asks that I gather some funds from my nephew Thayalan and his father Arumugam so that he could feed a thousand devotees when his fast ends on 1 April 2007. This annadhanam was finally carried out in 2013 spearheaded by Jnana Jothiamma who carried it out upon our asking, without Supramania Swami's presence in flesh but in spirit then.
When I was with him in 2005, he mentioned that his lifespan was only 65. Supramania Swami went into samadhi at 10.20 am, on Wednesday, 7 February 2007, four days after I spoke to him, at his kudil in Tiruvannamalai. He was 65.
Ramajayam tells me he found Swami’s diary after his samadhi. Strangely, Swami had written the exact date and time of his departure. This entry was dated 23 May 2005. He had also written down how to attend to his body once he passes away. Although he did not have a following, mysteriously a Swamiji to whom Ramajayam served as a driver then in Tiruvannamalai sent twenty of his followers or sadhus from his movement to take care of Swami’s last rites. Supramania Swami was laid to rest the same day within eight hours of his passing away as requested by him (Swami). When I was with him in 2005, he had indicated the spot where he was to be buried at his kudil to me. That was his wish. I was saddened that he was laid to rest elsewhere. But it happens to be that although he had mentioned that he was to be laid to rest at the kudil, the Lord and his messengers decided to provide a better place of rest for their deserving disciple. Agathiyar, on 10 February 2007, told me in my Nadi reading that Swami had gone into Samadhi at the right moment; he had been laid at the right spot and that his samadhi shall gain fame. On 24 July 2007, Agathiyar again mentions Supramania Swami telling me that he was the first guru I went searching for and that he was a true guru. Agathiyar asked that I chant Swami’s name and miracles shall take place in my home. True to his word, Supramania Swami appears in my home in Malaysia after going into samadhi. Just as his guru Yogi Ramsuratkumar appeared and chanted with us after going into samadhi, Supramania Swami too showed his presence at my home after his samadhi. Although we could not see him, the signs that Supramania Swami appeared in my home were there.
The day was 17 September 2007. It had been some time now since Supramania Swami went into samadhi. We had just completed our daily prayers for the evening. The smell of jasmine, sandalwood or sandanam, sacred ash or vibhuti, frankincense, and other fragrances always lingers in my home during prayers. However, on that day, peculiarly there was the strong aroma of tobacco in the air. The thought of Supramania Swami immediately came to my mind. For some reason, Supramania Swami came to my mind. Was Swami at my home in Malaysia? As this thought rang in my mind my handphone rang simultaneously and stopped. On picking up the phone there was a miss call from the number that Swami used. I knew that number was no more in use too. Thinking about this miracle for the next few days, I decided to call up Swami’s number. A man answered. He asked me who I was and to whom I wanted to talk. I introduced myself and I asked if he had called me a couple of days before. However, he answered that he had not made any calls to Malaysia. Then I asked if Supramania Swami was around. He answered that he did not know of any Supramania Swami. I enquired about his location. He mentions it was Coimbatore. Then I ask if Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal was there. The reply was no and he did not know Tavayogi either. Several days later, I called my nephew Thayalan and explained what had transpired. Upon ending my call, I realized there was a miss call while I was on the phone with Thayalan. Again to my amazement, the same number appeared. I called Swami’s son, Ramajayam. He confirmed that the number his father used had been terminated. What a marvel! Later Agathiyar reveals in the Nadi that the miracle indeed did take place. Supramania Swami had come that day!
I have come to realize that God works in mysterious ways. When I arrived in India Deivanthiran, who came to fetch me at the airport in Chennai told me that he had taken over the task of chauffeuring me around since Raji who was assigned to me earlier had come down with a high fever suddenly. Was that a coincidence or was it the work of fate or God's mysterious doing that Raji should suddenly take ill? Was it a coincidence or was it the work of fate or God's wish that Deivanthiran should take me to meet Supramania Swami? Only on the last leg of my pilgrimage when I asked him about wanting to see the horoscope for my second daughter, was I to find out that Deivanthiran had a brother-in-law who was an astrologer. That turned out to be Supramania Swami. I am forever grateful and indebted to Supramania Swami who opened my eyes to devotion (Bakti) towards God and Guru through his exemplary lifestyle. Later I came to know that Swami was a full-fledged Jnani when the stranger who stalled our temple project asked him, "Why are you reverting to Bakti when you are in Gnana?"
As the day for paying homage to the gurus, Guru Purnima is just around the corner, I have no way to show my gratitude to my gurus for all they have done for me and my family and everyone else. The greatest dharma beyond that of feeding the hungry is spreading the greatness of the guru and his word, says Agathiyar. This is the least I can do for these great souls who came into my life.
There is a close resemblance in the songs of Manickavasagar and Ramalinga Adigal who came later. Adigal was captivated by his songs and I supposed took Manickavasagar as his guru. Hence the reason we see the resemblance in both their songs.
He sings that if by listening to Manickavasar's songs the lower species of meat-eating birds and animals that hunt could yearn for Mei Gnanam there is no reason he, Ramalinga Adigal cannot do the same.
The sheer love for his guru had transformed him into who he became later on. Many saints have traveled the same path believing only in the Holy Feet of their gurus to lift them up from the troubles and pleasures of the world into a realm of peace and bliss. Ramalinga Adigal too has told us to hold tightly to Agathiyar's feet for he shall shred all the veils and show us the Light. And we shall follow.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
