MORE FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Agathiyar told us each shall realize his center சுழிமுனை (Suzhimunai). It is the place where arises energy and vibration or உணர்வு that comes with it. "Know it to be your Suzhimunai," he says. As their grace deepens, a slight throb is felt at this spot on the head at exactly the anterior fontanel or the soft spot located in newborns. This throb nudges us to take notice of it and become aware. One who arrives at his center becomes total says Agathiyar. He calls this the state of பரிபூரணம் (Paripuranam). 

Tavayogi explains that the breath that flows through the left nostril is known as Akaaram and that running through the right nostril is Ukaaram, creating vibrations in Edakala and Pingala respectively. This vibration creates further ripples in the midst of the head and is called Maakaaram, The spot where these three sounds and their related vibrations congregate is known as Suzhumunai. நமது மூக்குத் துவாரத்தின் இடது நாசியில் ஓடுகின்ற இடகலையின் அதிர்வு நிலை அ காரம் எனவும் வலது நாசியில் ஓடுகின்ற பிங்கலை அதிர்வு நிலை உ காரம் எனவும் கூறப்படுகின்றது. நாம் பேசத் துவங்கும்போது இரண்டு நாடிகளும் அதிரும் இதனால் மண்டை ஓட்டின் நடுவில் ஒரு ஒலி அதாவது அதிர்வு தோன்றும். அதுவே ம காரம் ஆகும். இந்த மூன்று அதிர்வுகளும் சேர்ந்த இடமே ஓங்காரபிரணவம் ஆகும். இதுவே நடு ஒலியின் பிறப்பிடமான சுழிமுனை ஆகும். இது இயங்குகின்ற உச்சி முடிவே மண்டை ஓட்டின் நடுவிலுள்ளே கபாலமாகும்.

In "God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita", published byYogoda Satsanga Society of India", 1999, we learn from Sri Paramahansa Yogananda that "The body is not at all what it appears to be. It is a complicated result of the combination of six currents that emanate from six astral centers. And these currents are in turn emanations of the spherical cosmic energy of the creative AUM vibrations. The AUM or cosmic intelligent vibration is the first manifestation of God in creation."

"One's body is produced by an earth current in the coccyx, a water vibration in the sacral, a fire vibration in the lumbar, an air vibration in the dorsal, an ether vibration in the cervical, and a consciousness and life force vibration in the medulla and christ centers. These are the vibrations of the 5 elements or tattvas in nature, macro cosmically present in the universe, and micro cosmically operative in the body of man. Man being a microcosm of the universe has within him all five sheaths: matter, life, mind, intellect, and bliss. He alone of all forms of creation has the ability to unfold all of these sheaths and free his soul to become one with God."

When Agathiyar followed by Ramalinga Adigal told us to read and know about the tattvas first as a preliminary lesson towards understanding the rest of the experience that was to come, we never actually understood but followed the instruction though we could not understand the matter of it. Even the instruction to go within did not come easy. But we tried. Then the most compassionate Siddhas took pity on us and lifted us up by giving us a nudge, in the energy centers. We came to experience these energy centers. Sri Paramahansa Yogananda writes, "The spiritual aspirant eager to solve the mystery of the body only understands it when his attention is withdrawn from the body to the six inner booths which throwing out six currents are responsible for producing the picture of the body. By knowledge of these six currents and by years of meditation the yogi learns to know the body not as a solid mass but as a manifestation of vibratory light."

He adds, that while "the physical body is made principally of flesh, the astral body is that of prana while the causal body is made specifically of consciousness, ideas making man a conscious sentient being."

"Life current present in the united sperm and ovum cell develops that primal cell into an embryo and ultimately into a full-grown human being. The creative life energy of the astral body descends into the physical body through seven subtle centers in the spine and brain within only days after conception. From this first developmental phase formed the spine, brain, and nervous system, and from these developing parts, the rest of the human organism evolves all the work of the forces of the astral body."

In "Anaivarukkum Uganda Pranayama Payirchigal" by Sri Sri Yogi Shivananda Paramahamsa" published by Viswa Yoga Kendra Trust, 2001, we learn that the chakras in the causal body that is subtle are very much connected with the physical body. The chakras access the Prana from the Pranamaya Kosa and deliver it through its massive network of 72,000 Nadis to the physical body. It is akin to the transformers delivering electricity from the main lines to light up our homes. When the chakras efficiency is disrupted, the physical body and its components are affected too.  

புரக் கண்களுக்குப் புலப்படாத காரண சூட்சும உடலைச் சார்ந்த சக்கரங்கள் ஸ்தூல உடலின் முக்கிய நரம்பு மையங்களோடு நாளமில்லாச் சுரப்பிகளோடும் உறுப்புகளோடும் தொடர்பு கொண்டுள்ளது. இயற்க்கையோடு நேரடி யாகத் தொடர்புடைய இச்சக்கரங்களின் வழியாகவே ஜீவ சக்தியான பிராணன் பிராணமய கோசத்தில் அமைந்துள்ள 72000 நாடிகளின் வழியாகப் புற உடலின் அணைத்து பாகத்திற்கும் அனுப்ப படுகிறது. சக்கரங்களின் இயக்கத்தில் பாதிப்பு உண்டாகும்போது அவைகள் தொடர்புடைய நாடிகளும் சுரப்பிகளும் உறுப்புகளும் பாதிக்கப் படுகிறது.

He list down the connection between the chakras, and the kosas, the elements or tattvas and the vayus. 

Muladhara chakra, Annamaya Kosa, Earth, Abanan. மூலாதார சக்கரம் அன்னமய கோஷத்துடனும், நிலம், அபான வாயுவுடனும் தொடர்புடையது,

Svadhisthana chakra, Pranamaya Kosa, Water, Abanan. சுவாதிஷ்டான சக்கரம் பிராணமய கோஷத்துடனும், நீருடனும், அபான வாயுவுடனும் தொடர்புடையது,

Manipura chakra, Pranamaya Kosa, Fire, Samanan. மணிபுர சக்கரம் பிராணமய கோஷத்துடனும், நெருப்புடனும், சமான வாயுவுடனும் தொடர்புடையது,

Anahata chakra, Manomaya Kosa, Wind, Prana Vayu. அனாஹத சக்கரம் மனோமய கோஷத்துடனும், காற்றுடனும், பிராணவாயுவுடனும் தொடர்புடையது,

Visudhi chakra, Vignanamaya Kosa, Space, Uthanan. விசுத்தி சக்கரம் விஞ்ஞானமய கோஷத்துடனும், ஆகாயத்துடனும், உதான வாயுவுடனும் தொடர்புடையது,

Ajna chakra, Vignanamaya Kosa, Manam, Viyanan. ஆக்ஞா சக்கரம் விஞ்ஞானமய கோஷத்துடனும், மனதுடனும், வியான வாயுவுடனும் தொடர்புடையது

Sahasrara chakra, Anandhamaya Kosa, Maha Pranan, Atma. சஹஸ்ரார சக்கரம் ஆனந்தமய கோஷத்துடனும், மஹா பிராணனுடனும், ஆன்மாவுடன் தொடர்புடையது,

Generally, in man, the Ida and Pingala work in tandem. Shushumna is dormant. Through the advanced stages of Pranayama the Shushumna gives way and opens. Kundalini arises from the Muladhara and makes its way to Sahasrara. He then transcends the Physical, Subtle, and Causal bodies and comes to know his Atma. Prana that is akin to the shadow of the Atma shadows and works in all three bodies. 

மனித வாழ்க்கையில் ஒவொருவருக்கும் இடா பிங்களா நாடி மட்டும் செயல்பட்டு கொண்டிருக்கும். சுஷும்னா நாடி செயலாற்றிக்கும். பிராணாயாமத்தின் முதிர் நிலை பயிற்சிகளை பயின்று வருவோருக்கு சுஷும்னா நாடி வழி திறக்கப்பட்டு மூலாதார சக்கரத்தில் இருந்து குண்டலினி சக்தியை மேலெழுப்பி சஹஸ்ரார சக்கரதிற்கு கொண்டு போகும் போது யோக சாதகன் தான் ஸ்தூல, சூக்ஷ்ம, காரண சரீரத்தை கடந்து ஆன்மா என்பதை அறிகிறான். பிராணன் ஸ்தூல, சூக்ஷ்ம, காரண என மூன்று நிலைகளில் செயல்படுகிறது. ஆத்மவின் நிழல்போல அமைந்துள்ள. 

The Causal Prana residing in the sperm and ovum paves the way for the development of an embryo according to its baggage of karma. காரண பிராணன் ஆண் பெண்ணின் சுக்கில சுரோணிதத்தில் இருந்து கொண்டு கர்ப்பத்தில் ஜீவனின் கர்ம வினைக்கேற்ப கருவின் வளர்ச்சிக்கு வழி காட்டுகிறது.

In the fetus that was formed in the womb, upon delivery the subtle Prana transcends from the crown to the forehead and initiates the first breath. The child then takes in the Prana from the air around us. Henceforth it depends on this air to survive. கர்ப்பத்தில் உருப்பெற்று குழந்தையாக வெளிவரும் ஜீவனின் உடலில் தலையின் உச்சியிலிருந்து நெற்றி வரை சூட்சம பிராணன் சஞ்சரித்து கொண்டு சுவாச இயக்கத்தை தூண்டுகிறது. சூட்சம பிராணனின் துண்டு தலினால் நமது உடல் சுவாசிப்பதன் மூலம் புற உலக காற்றில் கலந்திருக்கும் ஸ்தூல பிராணன் கிரகிப்பதன் மூலம் உயிர் வாழ்க்கையை நடத்துகிறது. 

Then if man is commonly said to possess 5 kosas, Agathiyar threw in a surprise saying that the Siddhas acknowledge seven. In speaking about diseases and illnesses Agathiyar mentions that the Siddhas consider the body as having 7 parts. Diseases appear in the Vayu Degam. சித்தர்களாகிய நாங்கள் உடல்களை 7 பங்குகளாக பிரிப்போம். அதில் நோய் தாக்குவது வாயு தேகத்தை. Looking to see if anybody has spoken about the seven, I came across publications by the Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar. In "Man and his Bodies" by Annie Besant, we are introduced to the physical body, the etheric double, the astral or desire body, the mind bodies, and other vehicles. She considers the physical, astral, and mental worlds respectively as our globe and the two spheres surrounding it. "Beyond this triple region, he may not consciously pass until the gateway of initiation has opened before him." Is this then the doorway that Ramalinga Adigal pleads to Lord Shiva to let him have access through in his early days? We are used to hearing that there are 2x7 worlds, ஈரேழு பதினாலு லோகம். Is this the same as Besant subdivides the worlds? she writes like the other regions the mind world is divided into 7 subplanes. When she speaks about the 'Other Vehicles" she calls it Turiya. Ramalinga Adigal is known to have mentioned this. She equates this to anandamayakosa or body of bliss. CW Leadbeater in his "Man - Visible and Invisible" writes "It will be noticed that the number of planes is seven and that each of them, in turn, is divided into seven subplanes." If there are indeed that number of worlds we should equally be having that number of bodies to adapt to each world, right? We have heard of ஏழேழு பிறவி too. That is taken as 7 + 7. We have to wait for Agathiyar to go into the details of what he said.

THE BREATH

What began as a swirl in the abdomen rose to spin in the crown but with a lesser intensity though retaining its coolness the next day. This sensation comes on the moment I bring either my attention, thought, or breath to it. Or at other times it comes on, on its own pulling me to sit or keep working in me as I carry out my work. Then I realized it was more of a flowering or budding. Soon it spread extending to envelop the forehead and back of my head too. Now it seems like something is dripping as if the ice is melting. It is blissful. Meanwhile, the cleansing is going on. The phlegm, only God knows from where, is expelled through a cough that comes on. The urine at times is cloudy as if mixed with sperm. The foul smell is still there. At times the stool is soft while at other times I become constipated. The body too at times is fiery and hot while at other times I feel cold. I am glad Agathiyar forewarned me of these changes otherwise I would be worried sick.

We are a composite of the Udal or body, Vaasi or Uyir or breath, and the Atma or soul. The Pindam takes form in the womb of a mother. 5 elements are taken from each parent's body to form and shape the embryo and fetus. One portion of earth from the female and three portions from the male; Four portions of water from the female and three from the male; Five portions of fire from the female and six from the male; Eight portions of air from the female and two from the male and finally one portion of Ether from the female and eight from the male go towards making a healthy constitution. Just as creation is a result of the Pancha Maha Bhutam coming together, each individual is a product of these five elements in the ratio of 1 1/2 part earth; 1 1/4 part water; 1 part fire; 3/4 air; and 1/2 part sky, totaling 5 in any given circumstances. Any alteration to these proportions resulted in chaos and trouble within the body. The functions of the body are dependent on 96 principles or tattvas, of which 36 formulate the soul and the rest of the body. The Siddhas remind us to ensure the ratio of these elements is maintained well to prevent ailment and in the worst cases death. When an imbalance in this proportioning happens as a result of our lifestyle and diet, disease and illness come on. The first indicator of impending sickness is the breath. Upon checking the breath that is supposed to flow through a particular nostril 2 hours before sunrise, is seen to behave differently, know that you shall fall ill that day. We then correct the flow of the breath accordingly.

By taking the building blocks and their essence from the five elements, it took on its impurities or dosas too. With these, the karma of past actions came to be assigned hence taking a human form that was impaired by these two factors. We can carry out remedies, puja, and charity to offset the latter. Karma, which is reason enough to take birth repeatedly, can be eradicated by Karma Suddhi, through acts or parikaram or carrying out remedies, doing charity, conducting the sacred fire rituals, and most importantly recitation of the names of the Siddhas.

But how do we remove the impurities or dosas in our bodies? 

Before a herb is picked and consumed, the Siddhas have relevant and potential mantras to repel and eradicate the curse or Saabham that comes with the plants. Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar shared them with me. The picking of the herbs is followed by several procedures to cleanse the herb of its impurities or dosas that come with it. This was shared by Siddha Physician Arivan. So did the Siddhas lay out the procedures for transforming the physical body that is impaired by impurities that is in the state of Asuddha Deham to one that is purified, the Suddha Deham. Hence we understand why Agathiyar engaged us in a thorough cleansing of the house - to make the body an appropriate vessel to receive and accommodate the divine within.

For a start, Dhega Suddhi, or cleansing of the body would incorporate restricting the urge to consume more than the body needs, abstaining from consuming processed food, and opting for Satvic food rather than those of Rajasic and Tamasic nature. If doing remedies or parikaram cleared out karmic debts, abstaining from consuming Rajasic and Tamasic food and consuming only Satvic food brings Pranic energy. Consuming Kaya Kalpa herbs promotes general health, repairs, builds, and rejuvenates the body.

Bhuta Suddhi or cleansing of the elements in the physical body through taking for instance Agathiyar Kuzhambu, a purgative, specially prepared the Siddha way, rids the body of excess Vata, Kapha, and Pitta and brings the proportions of these three dosas to a balanced state. If doing remedies or parikaram cleared out karmic debts; abstaining from consuming Rajasic and Tamasic food and consuming only Satvic food brought pranic energy within that repaired, built, and rejuvenated the body; taking a laxative prepared the Siddha way, rids the body of the three dosas bringing balance and renewed physical and mental health.

Nadi Suddhi involves breathing techniques to clear the nerves and channels for Prana to flow through unobstructed and the Kundalini Sakti to traverse through respectively. If doing remedies or parikaram cleared out karmic debts; abstaining from consuming Rajasic and Tamasic food and consuming only Satvic food brought the essential pranic energy within that repaired, built, and rejuvenated the body; taking a laxative prepared the Siddha way, rid the body of the three dosas bringing balance and renewed physical and mental health; cleansing the airways brings in fresh and large supplies of prana that combined with all the earlier measures prepares the body to become the perfect vessel for the divine to take abode in us.

The Siddhas realized that the only "apparent difference between the living and the dead was the function of respiration." This observation mooted the Siddhas to find ways to increase and retain the Prana that attaches itself to air and energizes all of creation including both the world around us and us. Tavayogi too once told me "Breath is God." Agathiyar has mentioned in numerous incidences that he gave his breath to save his devotee. Korakar in his "Chandraregai 200", mentions the means of retaining the breath within and subduing the mind at the same time, making this body God's dwelling. As long as we retain the breath in us, we stay alive. When Sri Raghavendra was tested by some cruel people to revive a boy whom they had purposely asked to play dead, the saint tells them that he cannot as the Uyir or breath had departed for real. It is rather timely that Agathiyar too has brought us to watch the breath. This would mean that the Uyir stands guard and is the guardian. The breath runs through us traversing day and night keeping us alive. When we lose our breath the whole house collapses.

In having us go within by asking us to watch our breath, our interaction with the outside world reduces. We become aware of this subtle breath that has been with us since birth, which the continuous flow of our thoughts sends to the back, into hiding, while our thoughts took precedence. Now we work on the breath and bring it to the forefront driving our thought behind the screen. When we were active our breathing fluctuates according to the activity and emotions that raised. But when we become aware of breathing the only remaining thoughts subside in the breath. What prevails is total consciousness of the breath. The breath then is a link between the conscious self and the consciousness out there waiting to envelop us in its arms. Now we understand why Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal came, again and again, to ask us to go within, become aware of our breath, and settle in it. Though it was difficult it is the simplest way to reach consciousness. 

KUNDALINI

There is something that creates, sustains, and destroys all of its own creation. This "something" that creates and sustains us if it chooses to leave, leaves us and everything else dead for good. What is this "something" then? Man has given many names to it. But names are mere labels or identification tags. For instance, when Agathiyar asked me to come to the worship of the Siddhas and worship him, the Nadi reader Senthilkumar initiated the recitation of Siddha names which I continued once back home. He showed the Siddhas and Agathiyar having a name and physical form.

The late Dr.Krishnan in making a yantra of Agathiyar to be worshipped and Agathiyar in coming to my home as a bronze statue showed us that Agathiyar can be worshipped in other forms too. He showed that Siddhas and Agathiyar can exist in copper foils and metal statues too.

Coming to know Tavayogi he introduced Agathiyar as God. அருள் ஞான ஜோதியே அகத்தின் ஜோதி தனிப்பெரும் கடவுளே அகத்தீஸ்வரர் ஆவார். 

In initiating us, he gave Agathiyar's Moola Mantra to chant. Agathiyar now was in the form of sacred syllables put together to create a mighty power. Chanting this mantra brings Agathiyar to take notice of us, or rather taps a certain amount of energy from the existing bank of energy out there. 

In bringing us back into nature, the jungles and caves, Tavayogi brought our attention to: the breeze that brushes across our faces and runs a chill down our backs; the sun's rays that filter through the trees and branches and warm our body, and the earth; the icy-cold waters of rivers laden with the power of medicinal herbal plants that line the banks of these rivers; the prana in the air that nourishes us; the green lungs and meadows drenched in dew that welcome us; and to the bright clear skies that rain on us light showers, telling me that the Siddhas were ushering us. He showed the Siddhas and Agathiyar in nature. Thavathiru Rengarajah Desiga Swamigal writes in his piece "Supramaniar Kadavulanatu Yeppadi", Nature is God. Man and all creation are part of Nature. Nature creates, sustains, and destroys him. 

எல்லாம் வல்ல இயற்க்கை தான் கடவுள். அந்த இயற்க்கையின் கூறுதான் மனிதனும் மற்ற ஜீவ ராசிகளும். அந்த இயற்க்கை இவனைப் பிறப்பிப்பதும், வாழ்விப்பதும், அழிவிப்பதுமாக இருக்கிறது.  

Later stepping out from Agathiyar's sannadhi at the Nattratreeswarar Temple, Kangayampalayam, Erode Tavayogi turned around to me and told me that Lord Siva and Agathiyar were one. 

Back at his Ashram, he tells me Agathiyar came to him in the form of light. 

In initiating me again, he told me that the breath was God. N. Thammanna Chettiar writes in his book "Kaatre Kadavul Ennum Saaka Kalai", Narmada Pathipagam, Chennai 1999, when the child lets out its first cry, the breath enters him and remains with him till his death. We do not see it but feel the air going in and out. 

உலகில் சிசு அழுவதால் தான் முதன் முதலாகச் சுவாச ஓட்டம் ஆரம்பித்துத் தொடர்ந்து நடை பெறுகிறது. இந்தச் சுவாசமானது இறக்கும் வரை மனித உடலில் தங்கியிருக்கிறது. மனிதனின் காலம் முடிந்தவுடன் காற்றும் வெளி யேறி விடுகிறது. காற்றை நாம் சுவாசம் விட்டுக் கொண்டிருப்பதன் மூலம் உணர முடிகிறது. சுவாசம் விடுவதும் வாழ்வதும் நமது கட்டுப் பாட்டில் இல்லை. 

Though generally, this breath is not under our control taking the tool of Pranayama it is possible to change its course just like an unruly river is tamed by realigning its course. 

I understand today that Tavayogi began to introduce me to other forms of Agathiyar, seeing my progress. These are the many names and forms Agathiyar takes coming before each aspirant in each state of his spiritual development. When we went within we came to worship the breath. The Divine that gives life or breathes life into us, that keeps us alive by this very breath and takes it away from us when our time is up, is that very force or Prana or Kundalini that creates, sustains, and eventually envelops or swallows all of its creation. This breath of life enters us through the crown, creating each chakra on its way right down to the Muladhara and once its task is complete closes the door behind it going into a long hibernation or sleep, only to be awakened again by the same breath through exercising certain pranayama techniques or by the touch of the guru. 

Tavayogi wrote, "From the first atom, the Paramanu, the Pancha Maha Bhutam came forth. The world emerged with these 5 atoms coming together. Each atom carried 96 Tattvas. These Tattvas function in our bodies too. "பரமாணுவினால் பஞ்சபூதம் உண்டானது. இவ்வுலகம் ஐம் பெரும் பூத அணுக்களால் ஆனது. இந்த ஐம்பூத அணுக்களில் உள்ள ஒவ்வொரு அணுவிலும் 96 தத்துவங்கள் அமைந்துள்ளன. இந்த தத்துவங்களே மனித சரீரத்தில் செயல்படுகின்றன.

We are said to be a combination of the same five basic primordial or primary elements that form the building blocks of all of creation, the Pancha Maha Bhutam namely earth, water, fire/energy, air/wind, and sky/space, in descending order of grossness. This is seen as the first layer of elements or Tattvas of creation. These tattvas form the basis for the growth, sustenance, and proper functioning of all the regulatory systems within us for the continued dwelling and inhabitance of the spirit and soul within. These principal forces of Nature are responsible for the creation and coming into being, development and continued sustenance, and completion of every creation of the divine that we have come to know. 

Agathiyar in his memo to us on Udal, Uyir and Atma says, உடல் என்பது ஐந்து உலோகங்களின் நுண்ணுயிர்களின் அளவுகளைத் தாங்கிக் கொண்டு பிண்டம் ஒன்றினை உருவ வடிவமாய் கர்ப்பகிரகத்தில் நிலை பெறுகிறது. பஞ்சபூதம் ஆகிய நீர், நிலம், ஆகாயம், காற்று, நெருப்பு அனைத்தும் தாய் தந்தையின் உடலிலிருந்தே  எடுக்கப்பட்டு சிசுவின் உடலைப் பிறப்பிக்கின்றது. உனது உடலைப் பிரதானமாகக் கொண்டு இயங்குவது சுவாசம், அதுவே உயிர். உயிர் என்பது செயல் அற்று இருக்கக்கூடிய உறுப்பைச் செயல் பெறச் செய்வது. பிறக்கும் சிசு கருவுற மூலமாக இருப்பது பிராணவாயு. பிராணவாயு ஆணின் அணுக்களிலும் பெண்ணின் அணுக்களிலும் ஊடுருவி ஒன்றெனக் கலந்து பிரதான பொருள் வடிவம் அடையும் தன்மை உண்டானால் அங்கு உயிர் சக்தி உருவேற்ற படுகிறது. 

He says that the embryo or Pindam made of the elements or Nunuyir from the five elements (Pancha Maha Bhutam) derived from each parent's body in a specific proportion begins to take shape in the womb of a mother.  The Pranavayu that flows in with these elements is the primary cause of the conception of an embryo and a fetus. It moves with and in the elements. If it is fated Life is hence given to the embryo. 

The breath or Prana or universal energy that is Uyir takes its place or residence in the energy centers or pools of energy or Kulam that it self-creates. The Prana energy enters the crown creating the Sahasrara chakra, which sustains the formation of the new life. It then creates the Ajna that aids in the multiplication of cells that follows. These two chakras retrieve and store information in the form of past karmic deeds from the cloud @ Param. The Jeevatma is in a dormant state. These two chakras in turn create the Vishudhi chakra that dictates the Akasha tattva and activates basic breathing in and out later while in the amniotic fluid. "The other major Vayu tattvas are drawn from the universe." When this energy comes to pool at the Anahata chakra, the Vayu tattva comes into play. The universal energy brings forth the physical heart. Reaching further down it pools at the Manipuraka chakra that it has just self-created in the fetus. The Fire tattva coming from the mother comes into play here. The chakras of the fetus begin to connect with that of its mother.  The Sahasrara chakra divides itself bringing forth the Svadisthana chakra working with the water tattva and Muladhara chakra in working in coalition with the earth tattva. The heartbeat of the fetus is felt. The fetus is by then 6 - 8 weeks old. The other major organs start to grow. The creation of the body and its parts is like someone bringing together the components of a physical body and assembling it as Supramania Swami created the sacred ash from the soil. The chakras become connected with the physical body. The chakras of the fetus link with the mother.

Information is embedded within as seen in the vigorous activity in the fetus. By 24 weeks these silent and secret transmissions settle down and are replaced by the outside sounds and noise that the baby begins to hear now. At 30 weeks the Svathisthana begins to dampen the growth in length of the fetus. Other major and minor chakras come into play too. Supra consciousness and subconscious become present while consciousness is only activated at birth. When the baby is born the Sahasrara and Ajna close and the veil is drawn. Upon the newborn crying, it takes in the air from the surrounding atmosphere for the first time. The creative force of Kundalini Shakti or energy that created the chakras and moved the tattvas to form the respective organs then comes to rest in the Muladhara. Just as Agathiyar replied that I need not do anything for the energy would do its work, the energy having done its work this intelligent energy force takes a rest and begins to hibernate. (Ref: For a more detailed account read "Soul Searchers - The Hidden Mysteries of Kundalini", R.Venugopalan, Health Harmony, 2001.)

When the Kundalini is again activated by various means it rises up the same road it came. As it journeys up, it begins to clear the blockages and reactivates and rejuvenates the chakras that have become sluggish and blocked by now due to man's lifestyle and habits. The creative energy that has since then hibernated or stagnated or ponded at each chakra is released again. Man is reborn again. Man then becomes divine and returns to the abode of the Divine. Agathiyar reveals that when the 5 tattvas that contribute towards the formation of the Udal is shed, the Uyir having no shed to take shelter now leaves to merge in the Atma and reaches Agathiyan as Jothi. 

உடல் என்பது பஞ்ச பூதங்களில் உரு பெற்று மீண்டும் பஞ்ச பூதங்களிடம் சென்று விட்டால் உயிராகியது ஆன்மா வோடு கலந்து ஜோதிநிலையில் எம்மை வந்து அடையும். உடல் கூறு தத்துவமும் இதையே உமக்கு உணர்த்தும். 

If with Ida and Pingala functioning they should sail us through life without any hiccups now why would you want to activate the Kundalini? I have seen videos of mass activation of this energy or God knows what energies in people by some individuals with both parties not realizing what they are getting into. We cannot blame the recipient of this Shakti for not knowing the consequences. The giver too does not study and analyze if the recipient is ready for the initiation or if his body and health can take on the intense energy. Only one fit should ask to test this enormous creative force and energy. Have they prepared their body sufficiently to receive these energies? Tavayogi told us that one has to wait 12 years before anything for that matter is given. During this time they test our patience, tolerance, conduct, the virtues and values that we uphold etc. Jnana Jothiamma vomited 32 times in a day. Having me take his Agathiyar Kuzhambu I called out to all the Gods to save me as I shuttled between the bedroom and the toilet. I vomited and threw up. I purged. I had mucus expelled from my throat and nose. Bile was expelled from the abdomen. And it all happened simultaneously, draining the energy from me. If that was not enough Agathiyar had me prepare and consume a simple but potent formula that rid the remaining 3 dosas. I could not go beyond 51 days as it had the same effect just that it was milder. But as we consume food it builds up having to expel it continuously. All this was in preparation to receive this energy later. And as both Agathiyar and Tavayogi said it all has to take place before we reach the age of 60 otherwise its rising would torment the body.

Who should wish to awaken the sleeping giant or in this case the serpent? Only those who carry out his will. For if we haven't surrendered to him and his will, the power that arises could do harm to one's self or he or she could misuse it or use it to harm other's since Siddhis come about and is made available to him/her as by-products of this activation. Make sure the guru who initiates your into these powers is available to you whenever the need arises to refer to him on your progress or when problems crop up. Do not accept any initiation from a visiting guru whom you know you cannot meet again or call up for advice.

A seeker after leaving his home in search of masters and staying in several Ashrams returned home and was initiated by a visiting master who touched his navel that brought on intense energy within on their very first meet. They never met again. When things began moving within he could not seek help. Agathiyar hauled him to my home and released his energy. Another who was initiated by another master locally had energies moving within him and approached me for advice and healing. When I told him to seek out the master who brought on the mess, he replied that his master had become cuckoo and was roaming the streets. Another messaged me telling me that having learned and put into practice all the teachings of the various schools available he had energy blockages. None of his masters could help him. After 8 years he was still waiting for a remedy.

We learn of many gurus giving this initiation with their look, their touch, passing on mantras etc on their very first meeting itself. These gurus are a divine personification. They have the ability to see through the past karma of those who stand before them, verify their standing, and only then pass on this Sakti, knowing pretty well that the recipient is ready for the initiation and his body can take on the energy. The recipients in this case would have done their homework in past lives and were ready to continue from where they left off. And this transmission is always done one-to-one. When I made an appointment with the organizers of the event for which Tavayogi had come to Malaysia that is to officiate their newly formed Peedham taking the name from Tavayogi's Kallar Ashram, I and my wife were asked to come back that evening to receive an initiation together with six others that evening. Several weeks later Agathiyar, in a much anticipated Nadi reading that came three years after my first reading, tells me to receive initiation from Tavayogi that very night. This made me and Tavayogi wonder why as I had already taken it. Today, I understand the reason. It had to be in private. 

Speaking to Mahindren about this subject and how many on the spiritual path are manipulating the public, thinking that they are doing good and are in fact messing up others' lives, just to boost their ratings, publicity, viewership, fellowship, and numbers, Mahindren told me something that really made sense. If Ramalinga Adigal wanted to arouse anything for that matter in his followers he would have done that. So too the many saints of the past. We have never read about them giving initiation or activating energies en masse or for a price. It always happens between the guru and student away from the public eye. They want us to place the effort, and carry out certain practices, and only then do they come to uplift us. There is no easy way out. It has always been that way. Neither did the Siddhas nor Tavayogi and Supramania Swami dish out mantras or initiations for the asking. Although Tavayogi gave whoever walked into the local Peedham, an initiation, it was not an energy transfer. It was a mantra of Agathiyar written on paper and handed out to the recipients. We followed reading the mantra after him. That was all. Now it was up to these recipients to carry on from there by reciting the mantra on their own at their leisure. If they failed to carry it out, nothing happens and no harm is done. But if they place an effort and spend some time doing it makes them eligible for the second initiation or Deeksha. After I and my wife received the first together with another six who turned up that day, Agathiyar mysteriously asked me to get another from Tavayogi in my Nadi reading. Later arriving at his Kallar Ashram and just before I left for Malaysia, he gave me another initiation not before asking me if I was repeating the first initiation mantra. That was how careful he was in dispensing mantras or initiating others or even dispensing advice. He never messed with others' karma nor did he take on theirs. As the saying goes do not play with fire, this game is not for all. Even when Tavayogi took the stage, year in and year out he would dish the same thing. After some time I asked him why he was repeating and never moved on to other things. As usual, he replied to my question with another question. "Are you following all that I said?" he asked implying that it was only proper to move on to new things if his listeners adopted and practiced all that he said. Even when Lord Murugan came through a devotee and wanted to give us "something" he had us all proclaim that we have surrendered to him. Only then did he proceed. As I stood first in line, he chased me away telling me that Agathiyar would give it to me. 

This is why all the great masters caution us or refrain from having us touch it much less speak about it. Stay away from it unless one's own guru initiates it and is there to monitor us. 

LISTEN TO HIM & HAVE HIM LISTEN THROUGH YOU

Tavayogi never messes with other's karma. He always pointed them to the Siddhas. So did he ask me why I interfered when I listened and gave advice to a disturbed soul. I stopped giving advice and showed those who came by straight to Agathiyar. But Agathiyar had another agenda. I heard him ask if he was in any way intruding into our lives. He wanted to mete out solutions to those he sent by my home. Since then, I stepped back and gave him way to execute his Lila or play. At another moment, I heard him ask me what I would do if he shuts his ears and refuses to listen when I go to him with my problems. That gave me a blow. I surrendered to him completely to carry out whatever he chose to do. Indeed, what if Dhanvantri did not listen to my cries and come to heal my back? What if Agathiyar had ignored me? I would not have those medicines he prescribed in the Nadi. What if Lord Murugan turned away? I would have to live with my back pain forever. What if the Siddhas and the divine had left it to fate? I would have messed up my life by doing the stupidest things. We read at www.yoginiashram.com that "Sage Pulasthya, heard the prayers of the sick, and traveled astrally to their bedside in order to heal them. He used yantras and tantra and performed untold miracles." We would not have the very first temple in the Kali Yuga built by King Kuberan if a devotee of Agathiyar did not feed the starving king. 

Recently, after our recent Navarathri outing at the home of a senior couple, the host told us that he had to assist in replacing the priest at a Ganesha temple since they were difficult to come by after the pandemic. Most of them had returned to India. He told us that while going about his temple routines, devotees would step up to him and ask him to bring their prayer to the ears of Lord Ganesha. He would do so as some stood in tears and with much hope for their prayers to be heard. This opened my heart too to the plight of the unfortunate. As Mahindren and I discussed this matter, since Tavayogi wanted us to remain impartial and Agathiyar asked to listen them out, Agathiyar came and spoke about it. He told me that he listens through me to others problems. 

As I drove my daughter to work several days later and the subject cropped up, she pointed to what Agathiyar said and agreed that Agathiyar does hear us out. When her friend was having a mysterious pain in her tummy and was losing weight fast, she did not see any headway in finding a relief for a very long time. When my daughter mentioned this to me, I suggested that she come over and pay homage to Agathiyar. Though she never found a moment to come over, her illness was diagnosed eventually, and she was operated on. She is doing fine and has put on weight. My daughter tells me that things began to move after we spoke about her illness, that is, after the news came to my ears. She believes that Agathiyar listens through me.

A couple from New Delhi would ask me to pray for their wellbeing, as they believed Agathiyar listens to me. Another friend called me up in the wee hours of morning telling me his mother was struggling to stay alive and asked me to light a lamp. I did. He later tells me a gust of wind blew in the ward his mother was admitted and knocked down some things. He knew Agathiyar was there. She survived. Five years later, the same thing happened. This time she had to leave with her beloved guru accompanying her to the otherworld. Days later she came in another and revealed this. 

In the days of extensive puja that we carried out at AVM many came by and lit the oil lamp that Agathiyar had told me to convey to his devotees. He told me that he shall look into their wishes. Then we came to understand from another friend that Agathiyar had told the couple to back off from helping others with their karma since they went to the extent of purchasing rare items that were listed as and for their remedies. The one who was supposed to rid his karma would just attend the puja since everything had been taken care of by this couple. Agathiyar explained that in carrying out the remedies to one's karma one has to face some hardship and this was also part of the process of eradicating the karma. Through his hardship in finding a said thing or traveling to far places or the interiors or to temples located on hills, he shall shed some of his karma. He warned the couple not to make things easy for them, for then they shall have to bore the karma instead. This was an eye-opener for me too. I reminded those who came by to light a lamp at AVM to purchase the clay lamp, wick and bring the ghee along and not to expect these to be provided. 

This is where I began to realize the true reason temples were built for. The Gods who reside or rather come in for duty (since a priest reprehended us for dishing out the free food before the Nithya puja or daily puja began. He told me that if we hand out the packet of food after the puja the Goddess will know what we are doing! I was stunned but did not answer back. I asked myself if she only came in and was on duty 7 to 9 mornings and evenings. Furthermore, I also asked myself if hunger only appears after the curtains are drawn aside.) indeed listen to the grievances of the devotees. Many might not be in the position to share their grievances with others. In these cases, the temple and the Gods were an option. It is akin to the confessional in churches, where the priest gives an ear to hear the confessions of penitents.

Besides this, the temple is where we return home relieved and feeling light after we leave our worries behind for the divine to look into. It is where the exchange of energy takes place, and we return home revitalized. 

THE TRANSFORMATION

 

The above verses from Ramalinga Adigal's Thuruarutpa sums up the transformation that is currently going within. I am truly blessed. If only I can touch and pass on this bliss to those around me. 

WHEN THE GODS ARRIVE

When the man's wife in the last post questioned me what was the Cd that I gave him that changed his behavior, I was puzzled. It was only a mantra. But now I know the power of this Arutperunjothi mantra. I called up Tavayogi and related the happenings. Tavayogi as usual always answers with another question. He asked me why did I involve? So my wife and I approached Agathiyar and asked him to put a stop to sending people over. He listened. It all stopped, at least for a brief period. Then I felt Agathiyar tell me that he was in no way coming in our way. He was only using us and the venue to do his work. He kept us safe from danger. So why do you stand in the way, he asked? The moment we gave in, he had strangers turn up at our door again. In 2018 Lord Murugan too told me in the Nadi reading to step aside and watch his play during Agathiyar's Jayanthi a day before the festival.

30.1.2018. Son, I shall come into your home for the upcoming Guru Puja. Your home puja is a universal puja too. மைந்தனே வரும் குரு நாளில் உன் இல்லத்து பூஜைக்கு வருவேன். உன் இல்ல பூசை இது உலக பூசை. உன் இல்ல பூசையைத் தீர்மானித்தாய். வரும் வியாழக்கிழமை அன்று ஆண்டு குரு பூசையைத் தீர்மானித்துள்ளாய். நன்றாக யாம் வருவோம்.

The Devas, Gnanis, Muktas, and Siddhas will come. Siva and Parvathy shall be there too. The Siddha Gnanangal will be there. I shall bring devotees to your home.

தேவர் வருவார். ஞானியர்கள், முக்தர்கள், சித்தர்கள் வருவார். அம்மை அப்பன் வந்து அங்கே அருளி நிற்பார். ஆகாய மார்கமாக சித்த கணங்கள் வரும். உன் இல்லத்தில் நடக்கின்ற பூசையில் உளமார முருகன் நான் இருப்பேன். ஏற்று உனக்குச் சார்ந்து இருந்து என்னைக் காட்டுவேன். நான் உன்னைச் சார்ந்து இருப்பேன். அன்று இயம்புவேன். மாந்தர் கூட்டத்தை அனுப்பி வைப்பேன். குட்டாட்டால் உன் இல்லம் மகிழ்ச்சி காணும்.

I did just that. I stepped aside as requested. The heavens came down on our little home. Lord Murugan came after the fest to many in the Nadi and revealed to us his attendance during Agathiyar's Jayanthi celebrations.

1.2.2018 Lord Murugan said he was there. The Devas played their Lila.

நான் காட்சி கொடுத்தேன் ஷண்முக அவடையப்ப இல்லத்தில். அந்த இல்லத்தில் தேவர்கள் நாங்கள் விளையாடி நின்றோம். நன்றாய் ஆவுடையப்பன் உடலில் யாவரும் இறங்கி நின்றோம். அந்தப் பூசைக்குத் தேவர்கள், மூவர்கள், சக்தியர்கள், ஷண்முகன், கணேசன், சித்தர்கள், முக்தர்கள் யாவரும் வந்து புடை சூழ நின்றோம்.

To another

அன்னவன் செய்கின்ற பூசையில் எல்லாம் அகத்தியர் முதல் சித்தர்கள் முருகன் யானும் வந்து அவனைச் சார்ந்திருந்து ஆசி வழங்கினோம். அன்னவன் ஆண்டு பூசையில் வந்திருந்தோம். அவனோடும் அருளோடும் விளையாடி நின்றோம். அவரது இல்லத்தில் விளையாடினோம்.

Another

பெருமையாய் நேற்று நடந்தது அத்துனையும் பார்த்தாய். நாங்கள் வந்திருந்தோம். பரமேஸ்வரன் பரமேஸ்வரி தன்னை அழைத்து வந்திருந்தோம். வடிவேலன் இறங்கினேன் அவடையப்பனிடம். அற்புதமாகச் சித்தர்களும், முக்தர்களும் வந்தோம். அங்குதான் என்னுடைய விளையாடல் பார்த்தீர்.

Another

அகத்தீசர் ஆண்டு பூசையில் அற்புதமாய் நேற்று நான் வந்திருந்தேன். நன்றாக நேற்று நடந்த பூசையில்தான் ஷண்முக அவடையப்பனை நாங்களும் சார்ந்து இருந்தோம்.

I remember the story of Agathiyar and Supramaniar as told by Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar in his book, "Pothrinal Unathu Vinai Agalumapa", explaining the process through which a soul (Agathiyar in a previous birth) attained the highest state that of becoming one with God. This state was made possible to the soul (Agathiyar) by his Guru Supramaniar (Lord Muruga). All the knowledge to attain the state was made available to the soul (Agathiyar) by Supramaniar because the soul (Agathiyar) had provided the space, shelter and all comforts for Supramaniar to carry on with his penances (tapas) and austerities (tavam) in a past birth. The soul (Agathiyar) was 60 years of age then when Supramaniar attained the body of Light through his tapas, thanks to the soul (Agathiyar) looking after all of his (Supramaniar) needs. I guess as both Agathiyar and Tavayogi told me one has to achieve this state before he attains the age of 60, Supramaniar promised the soul (Agathiyar) that they shall meet in a subsequent birth and that he shall return the favor.

In a subsequent birth the soul (Agathiyar) traveled in vain in search of his ideal guru. He eventually met Supramaniar at Kodaikanal, where Supramaniar made him recall the past and as promised in return for all his services in the past birth, blessed the soul (Agathiyar) and taught him secrets of attaining the state of God. The soul (Agathiyar) began with performing puja to Supramaniar. By way of devotion to Supramaniar he realized that he had had the greatest gift that was the human birth, which comes by very rarely. Through Supramaniar he came to know himself and the divinity that resided in the physical body. He understood the very Nature that brought him forth and resided within him. With Supramaniar's guidance and blessings, the soul (Agathiyar) relished the ambrosia or nectar that came about through his tapas. This removed the seven veils to reveal the Jhothi in him, hence attaining the body of Light. With this came Bliss, Siddhis, and the state of Deathless-ness. The soul (Agathiyar) attained the five tanmai or nature of Erai namely Creation, Sustenance, Destruction, Veiling and Showering Grace. Supramaniar granted the soul (Agathiyar) the title Gurumuni and Kumbamuni and sent him off to spread the Siddha way extensively all over the globe, bringing many into his fold. Agathiyar was born. A star was born. All the Siddhas looked towards Agathiyar as their Guru.

Similarly, I guess in listening to the Siddhas, letting them have their way, letting them use us and our homes, I got into their hearts. They then gave me the treasure of treasures without having to work for it.

In giving thanks to the Siddhas I wish I could come up with songs like the saints did. But I am no poet, nor do I have the proficiency in the Tamil language. But the verses of Ramalinga Adigal aptly describe my inner feelings and my gratitude to them. Let me borrow some of his songs.

THE EVER UNDERSTANDING SIDDHAS

He was pretty quiet when he came over to AVM the first time, upon learning about Tavayogi's visit to our home from his daughter. But chose to stand outside throughout his stay. After everyone left he came in and sat with me and Tavayogi. But he hardly spoke to Tavayogi. Soon he visited us often. I came to know about him. He had gone in search of himself, visiting many masters and ashrams both locally and abroad since the age of 25, and finally returned home. He would come often and stay till late at night. During one of his visits, I passed him an audio Cd of Ramalinga Adigal's Arutperunjothi mantra. The next day his wife calls me telling me that her husband was acting strange. He had hardly slept the whole night long and kept vigil watching the moon and was acting like a lunatic pacing up and down the house. He played the Cd I gave him maximum volume. I and my wife hurried to their home. Indeed he was acting strange. We had no idea what was going on with him. We asked them over the next morning while I sought the help of someone I knew could help at least tell us what had gone wrong. Agathiyar came and released him of his agony. She went back happy. Later I chanced to meet them at the morning market. He had taken on a job and they were happy. I did not understand what transpired then. Today I believe that he had advanced to a certain state having spent many years in the company of many masters. The pent-up energies in him had to be released. But he never went back to these masters. He was like a rudderless ship. The Arutpa triggered the bliss in him. He connected with Ramalinga Adigal's song. As he was prepared to take the leap but his wife was not ready to let him go,  Agathiyar had to delay his journey till she came to terms with it and accepted her husband's inner yearning. 

An ardent young devotee who was so engaged in the worship of the Siddhas was told by him to cool off and turn his attention toward his responsibilities till the time comes when his wife allows him to continue his pursuit of the Siddha path. Similarly, he has given leeway or a break to many to carry out their responsibilities first or run after their desires and fulfill their wishes and hopes before they return to him. He seems to be in no hurry to haul them up, understanding these souls very well. But to some, he keeps reminding them to buck up. If they fail to listen he either pushes them down or injects pain in them so that they shall sit still. I guess time is a deciding factor here. This is how the Siddha lets go of the string that attaches him to householders until either one of the partners is prepared to let go of the other. Of course, he would be truly happy if both come to his path and remain.  

Just as the teacher is strict for the good of the student, there is always a reason for the Siddha's actions or behaviors. When I sought to learn more about the Siddhas after reading the Nadi, I came across fellow aspirants who drew a grim picture of the Siddhas where some accused them of breaking up families while others concluded that the Siddhas shall confuse us and chose to stay away. I wanted to know if that was true. I understand that most misunderstood the Siddhas and their actions. The Siddhas only meant well. Throughout the years of worship to the Siddhas, my love for them only increased never diminishing. I saw them in action at every moment in our lives and those who chose to believe them. The Siddhas never let us down though it might seem so at that moment. The Siddhas never condoned confrontation. They had their ways of accomplishing things. One needs to understand a Siddha.

I never went in search though I read a lot and tried to implement or put into practice what I read be it the foods recommended or Yoga or the methods of puja and the songs of praise. I never went looking for a guru or master as I did not know about them until I read Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi. I would wait in line to meet the visiting Swamiji's to get their blessings when they made their rounds to the temples to give talks. My worship was centered around temples and home puja then. And so when Agathiyar invited me to come to the worship of the Siddhas I did just that. Traveling their path I never had a goal, ambition or a dateline. I continued with whatever Yoga I learned from the books when Agathiyar began to give me techniques and practices to follow. Later after meeting Tavayogi he showed us a set of practices that I followed. Agathiyar tells me what Tavayogi gave was a treasure. I did not realize that these practices had opened up my Muladhara Chakra in 2007 until Agathiyar told me.  Agathiyar continued to give me more Pranayama techniques in the Nadi and Patanjali guided me on the diet to follow. In late 2019 he brought all our activities of puja and charity to a halt and asked us to go within. In 2020 he tells me that both my Muladhara and Svadhistana Chakras were opened. The next phase was to take place. He said "All this while you saw to your needs in this world. Now you shall undertake an internal journey. I shall relate what needs to be done to realize your purpose in coming here." He started me doing the Yoga practices Tavayogi showed after having me stop doing it when I had pain in my back in 2010. He said I had stagnated in worldly affairs. He continued, "You cannot possibly break the shackle alone. Hence follow the practices that I am to give you. Reduce your involvement in outside activities. Sit before me and meditate. During this moment carry out the cleansing breath as taught by your guru. Just the important ones. You shall sense a coolness within. Remain silent in these moments. Focus on your breath. Your breath shall touch the Suzhimunai and swirl. Travel along your seven chakras. That journey shall awaken your chakras. After traversing these chakras when it touches the seventh you shall know your purpose here. This is the right time to start this practice." Agathiyar's aid and companion Ramalinga Adigal coming to us on 14.5.2020 gave me more techniques. He asked me "Have you understood the purpose of asking to go within? Do your experience change within your body? This is only the start. Effort is needed. You shall lay the stepping stones and progress at your pace." He continued, "What you are doing currently is wonderful. Continue with it. Watching your breath is right. You are changing its flow correctly. Continue with it. You are on the first step. Prana moving in you is itself Pranava Degam. When you sense the Pranavam you shall question yourself if the Pranam is traveling in you or if you are hitching on it and traveling in it. When you reach that state you shall have the answer. That moment shall be one of extreme bliss. Go deep within this bliss. There is more. There is much to learn. You have my blessings. I shall travel with you till you reach the destination. I shall accompany those who go deep within. Follow your breath. Place the effort and you shall reach the destination."

The next phase that they spoke about came as an extraordinary happening that took place on 22 August 2022. As I woke up and stretched in bed I felt a nerve tug below my belly button. I felt a sudden burst of energy in my belly. A sudden swirl of energy was released in my abdomen bringing on a cold feeling throughout my body. I felt nauseous and my whole body became numb to the fingertips. Then I had to pee and ease myself. For fear that I would pee in bed, I got up to go to the toilet. I fell twice but picked myself up. It soon subsided. Towards night the top of my head was cool. The next day, I woke up to go to the loo but I could not piss. I fainted again. I pulled myself onto the bed. My body became numb from the shoulders down. I lay like a dead log on my bed. I could not move an inch of my body. But I was aware of what was happening to me. I asked myself if this was what a dead body would feel like. 

Seeking answers to what had taken place, we placed a request before Agathiyar to clear the air. And he did. He told me the following. There was nothing to worry about. If previously he had told me that energy had stagnated what I understood to be at Svathisthana and Tavayogi had told me that our effort is only till this chakra and that they shall come and lead us on from there, the dammed waters were released now. But since the chakra was activated late in life the blood is affected said Agathiyar. When the chakras are activated late in life it would have some adverse results on our bodies. When the heat of tapas increases in our body, blood flow will be less bringing on numbness. This would result in urinary and excretion problems. The blood count will tip the scale. As it worried me and my wife, Agathiyar asked to go for a Medical checkup. He did treat me too by dipping my hands into a bowl of lukewarm water to the accompaniment of my family chanting the Arutperunjothi mantra. He ran his hands along my back and spine and placed his hands on my head and applied the sacred ash over my body. The transfer of energy or Shaktipat that they gave each time they came within a devotee eased our pain and removed the obstacles and dangers. It hastened and simplified our journey. The treasures that many seek were brought and placed at our doorsteps. I never went in search of a path. The path came to my door through the Nadi reading. I did not venture into the jungles and stay in the caves. I did not dig a hole and meditate in it. I did not hold my breath in Kumbhaka. I have never fasted in my life. I never did any penance. But yet the Yoga fell on my lap. I was gifted it. It reminds me of Ramalinga Adigal's song "Arutprakasa Maalai" where he sings that his guru walked up to his door and gave him treasures. I was blessed to have him pass me this treasure too. I am blessed that I have been given another chance to attempt to get it right at least this time and board the right bus to his kingdom. I am blessed that he wants me to share my story and my experiences with others. What could one ask for further? 

THE WORK OF A SIDDHA NEVER ENDS

One truly needs a guru besides many other things, to monitor our spiritual progress, to start us off on a venture or practice, and to halt or stop us at the appropriate moment. 

I had taken on from my parents the worship of the Hindu Gods and Goddesses, moving out from my family home and taking a career in another place some 92 km away, I continued to visit temples and carried on my home puja. All this stopped the day Lord Shiva came in a dream in 1988 and asked me to cool off. I was only 28 but I  had too many unanswered questions that drove me crazy then. No one I met and discussed with or the books I read could help clarify. Lord Shiva told me to keep the questions for another day. Lord Shiva saved me by bringing a halt to my worship. The Siddha stops you at the right moment.

The day he mentioned came in 2001. An unexpected mantra initiation took place through my nephew. He was directed by his Paramaguru, who had gone into samadhi but came through a devotee, to deliver it to me. I was set back on track by Agathiyar as I learned later that the message and mantra were from him. The Siddha starts you back at the right time.

The following year I read Nadi after a colleague shared his experience in having seen his Nadi two years before. I was called to the path of the Siddhas. Agathiyar set the path for me. I spent my time worshipping them. Agathiyar then introduced me to my first Guru Supramania Swami of Tiruvannamalai the following year as I went on my maiden journey to India. Agathiyar then brought Tavayogi to our shores where I meet him in 2005. He took me on a journey walking the path. He introduced rituals, charity, and Yoga bringing us from Sariyai, and Kriyai to Yogam. The Siddha starts you back at the right time.

The first mention of the Kundalini was made in the Nadi reading held on 13.10.2007. Agathiyar said that "We are delighted to see your kundalini sakti  arise." உண்டாகும் குண்டலினி சக்தி உனக்கு உயர்வதைக் கண்டு நாங்கள் வியந்தோம் அப்பா. 

Though Agathiyar spoke about the awakening and its movement, I never actually knew until he told me. But nothing extraordinary took place. I experience nothing spoken of or written about the Kundalini. By the grace of the Siddhas, the awakening became harmless.

The changes became obvious though only much later as I pursued the path. Practicing the Yoga asanas and Pranayama techniques as shown by Tavayogi in 2008, Agathiyar in the Nadi reading on 9.8.2010 said the heat of my tapas was at its height. உண்டான ஞான கனல் மிகுந்த காலம் உயர்வான காலம் அப்பா இது. 

In 2010 when I had pain in my lower back putting into practice all that was taught, which according to Agathiyar had opened up my Muladhara chakra and actuated the energies in me, Agathiyar came to ask me to stop all my practices. He points out to my health that was declining. He asked to see a physician who can bring it back to its former state. With his grace, I shall recover well he added. ஆனதொரு ஆரோக்கியம் மட்டும் சோடை. ஒளடதமும் பிடகனை அறிந்து ஏற்க்கவே மாற்றங்கள் ஏற்றம் கிட்டும். என் அருளால் பூரணமாய் பரிசுத்தம் காண்பாய். தரணிதன்னில் எங்கள் வழி மார்க்கத்தில் தப்பாது பூசையும் தவமும் செய்து தான் உயர்வு அடைந்திட்ட பாலகன் உனக்குத் தரணியே உயிர் பிணி ஏது சொல்வோம் உடல் பிணி ஏதுதான். அச்சம்கொள்ள. பாரிச பீடைகளும் வந்து நிற்கும். உற்றதொரு மூலாதார சக்கரமும் உயர் விதமாய் உட்டனங்கள் அடைந்ததனாலே உரைக்க வரும் சோர்வும் தேகம் தன்னில். உரைக்கலாம் முக்கூற்று திருப்பும் இப்போ முறையாகச் சம நிலையில் இல்லாதிருக்க சோதனைகள் வந்து நிற்க்கும் அச்சம் மிதந்து. சிறப்பு தரும் வாகடமும் செப்பலாம். 

The Siddha stops us at the right time.

By 28.8. 2015 he had seen the changes that have taken place within me. He said that his Jothi has expanded in me. தேகத்தில் மாற்றங்கள் பெற்று இருக்காய். அகத்துக்குள் அகத்தின் ஜோதி பெருகி தேகத்தில் பல மாற்றம் பல சக்தி கிட்டி முனை திரண்டு இருப்பாயே. 

On 7.10.2018 Agathiyar in the Nadi says that my breath was messed up during my sleep. He stated certain medicines to consume. உனக்குத்தான் நித்திரை தவ வாசி காலம் வாசியும் சீர் பிசகி முடங்கித் தான் இருக்கு. சோர்ந்திடாது நீ திடங்கள் பெறுவதற்கு தீர்க்கமுடன் எங்களின் வாகடங்கள் சொல்வோம். 

The Siddha comes to our aid at the right time.

The next day 8.10.2018 Lord Murugan came through a devotee and besides treating me said that my body was becoming weak. The gel at my spine and hips has dried up. This is the reason for the acute pain I was having. He tells me why I had to go through the suffering. It was to have me sit in one place and do tapas. But neither he nor Agathiyar abandoned me. They healed me through a devotee and a Nadi reading simultaneously. நின் தேகம் தளருகிறது அப்பா. இந்தக் காலம் உன்னுடைய முதுகு எலும்பும் இடுப்பும் அங்கே இருக்கின்ற தைலம் தானே தைலமது உலர்ந்து  போச்சு. இதுதான் உண்மை. ஆதலால் சேரும் எலும்பு சந்திப்பெல்லாம் அறிவித்தால் ஒருவித இறுக்கம் அச்சு. ஆச்சப்பா மின்னல் போன்ற வலி தோன்றும். அங்கே அப்போது துடி துடித்து நிற்பான் மைந்தன். சாற்றநல்  இது எதற்கென்று கேள். அகத்தில் நீ அமர்ந்து தவம் தியானம் செய்ய. தெளிவிக்க அகத்தியரும் புறப்பட்டு விட்டார். திறம்படவே நீ நடமாட வேண்டும் அப்பா. தீர்க்கமாய் அதற்குத் தான் நூல் உரைக்க வந்தேன். குமரனும் இன்று இரவே அற்புதம் செய்வேன். 

The Siddha shall stop us from engaging in activities if the need arises.

Then in the absence of Tavayogi in the physical form since 2018, Agathiyar put a stop to the rituals and charity that we were engaged with and had us go within, the first step towards walking the path of Gnanam. If prior to this moment he had other Siddhas speak to us through the Nadi too now he came and addressed us in person through his devotees. He brought Ramalinga Adigal often with him. We were blessed to have other Siddhas and deities address us too. 

The Siddha shall stop us at the right moment.

On 30.1. 2020 Agathiyar started me on my practices again, those that he had asked me to stop doing in 2010. He told me, "All this while you saw to your needs in this world. Now you shall undertake an internal journey. This will reveal your purpose in taking birth. I shall relate what needs to be done to realize your purpose in coming here." He said I had stagnated in worldly affairs. He continued, "You cannot possibly break the shackle alone. Hence follow the practices that I am to give you. Reduce your involvement in outside activities. Sit before me and meditate. During this moment carry out the cleansing breath as taught by your guru. Just the important ones. You shall sense a coolness within. Remain silent in these moments. Focus on your breath. Your breath shall touch the Suzhimunai and swirl. Travel along your 7 chakras. That journey shall awaken your chakras. After traversing these chakras when it touches the seventh you shall know your purpose here. This is the right time to start this practice." Agathiyar continued on the changes to be expected, "You shall witness many changes taking place within you. Do not fear. Due to the activation of the chakras, your body shall emit a foul smell. You shall have constipation. You shall urinate often. Take lots of warm water.  The Agathiyar Kuzhambu you took did help in expelling the 3 dosas. But there still is. It shall be expelled in due time. Carry out the said practice." இது நாள்வரை நீ கடந்து வந்தது இவ்வுலக வாழ்க்கையின் பயணம். இனி நீ கடக்க போவது உமது உள்பயணம். அதாவது நீ பிறந்ததின் நோக்கம் அறிவதற்கு நீ செய்யக்கூடிய வழிமுறைகள் யாம் கூற இருக்கிறோம். இதன் மூலம் உமது பிறவி பலனை அதன் நோக்கம் நீ அறிவாய். நீ உலக வாழ்க்கையில் நீர்தேங்கிறாய். இவ்கடிவாளத்தால் உம்மால் மீண்டு வர இயலாது. ஆகையால் யாம் சொல்லும் வழிமுறைகளைச் செய்து வா. வெளி உலக பயணம் சற்று குறைத்துக் கொள். தினமும் காலையில் குளித்து வெறும் வேஷ்டி அணிந்து என் முன் அமர்ந்து தியானம் செய்து வா. தியான முறையின் பொது உமது குரு கூறிய சுவாச சுத்திகரிப்பு பயிற்சியினை செய்து வா. அனைத்தும் வேண்டாம். மூல பயிற்சி மட்டும் போதும். அதை நீ செய்து வர உனக்குள் ஒரு தனி குளிர்ச்சி ஏற்படும். அந்நிலையில் நீ அமைதி கோல். உனது மூச்சில் கவனம் கோல். உமது மூச்சு உமது சுழிமுனை தோட்டு சூழும். உமது ஏழு சக்கரங்களில் பயணம் செய். அப்பயணம் உமது சக்கரங்கள் ஒவ்வொன்றாய் பூர்த்தி செய்யும். மூலாதாரம், ஸ்வாதிஷ்டானம், மணிபூரகம், அனாகதம், விசுத்தி, ஆக்கினையென ஏழாவது சக்கரம் தொடும் நிலையில் நீ உனது பிறவிக்கான பலனை அறிவாய். இத்தருணம் மான் மூச்சு குளத்தில் இருக்கிறது. அவை திறக்கும் தருணம் வந்தது. இப்பொழுதுதான் நீ உமது பயிற்சியினை தொடங்க வேண்டும். இந்நிலையில் அச்சக்கரம் முற்றும் திறந்து விடும். உடலில் பல மாற்றங்கள் கண்டறிவாய். பயம் கொள்ள வேண்டாம். இச்சக்கரங்கள் புணர்ச்சியால் உன் உடலில் ஏற்படும் மாற்றங்கள், துர்நாற்றம் வீசும், மல சிக்கல் ஏற்படும், கழிவு ஆகும், சிறுநீர் அதிகம் வெளியேறும். வெந்நீர் அதிகம் அருந்து. அன்று நீ உண்ட குழம்பினாள் உன் உடலிலிருந்து வாத, பித்த, கபம் சற்றே அகன்றது. இன்னும் இருக்கிறது. அவை அகலும். இப்பயிற்சியினை மேற்கோள்.

The Siddha shall start us on again at the right moment.

Ramalinga Adigal on 14.5.2020 asked me "Have you understood the purpose of asking to go within? Do your experience change within your body? This is only the start. You shall lay the stepping stones and progress at your pace. Effort is needed. What you are doing currently is wonderful. Continue with it. Watching your breath is right. You are changing its flow correctly. Continue with it. You are on the first step. Prana moving in you is itself Pranava Degam. When you sense the Pranavam you shall question yourself if the Pranam is traveling in you or vice versa, if you are hitching on it and traveling in it. When you reach that state you shall have the answer. That moment shall be one of extreme bliss. Go deep within this bliss. There is more. There is much to learn. You have my blessings. I shall travel with you till you reach the destination. I accompany those who go deep within. Follow your breath. Place the effort and you shall reach the destination." உன் உள் பயணத்தை அறிந்து கொண்டாயா? தேக மாற்றம் உணருகிறாயா? இதுவே துவக்கம். உனது முயற்சியே உனது படி. தற்போது நீ செய்து வரும் சிறப்பு. அதைத் தொடர்ந்து செய்து வா. சுவாசத்தை கவனித்துக் கொண்டிருப்பது சரியே. அதை நீ மாற்றிக் கொண்டு வருகிறாய். தொடர்ந்து செய்து வா. முதல் படியில் இருக்கிறாய். பிராண சக்தி ஊடுருவிச் செல்கிறதே அதுவே பிரணவ தேகம்.  பிரணவத்தின் சக்தி உணரும் தருணம் உன் பிரணவத்தால் ஊடுகிறாயா? அல்லது பிரணவம் உன்னுள் ஊடுகிறதா என்று தோன்றும். என்று அப்படியில் காலடி வைகிறாயோ அன்று உமக்கு விடை பிறக்கும். பிரணவத்தின் நீயே அதைக் காண்பாய். அது பேர் ஆனந்தம்.  இன்பத்தில் ஆழ்ந்து கொண்டு வா. இன்னும் இருக்கிறது. போதும் என்ற மனமே பொன் செய்யும் மருந்து. நீ கற்பதற்கு இன்னும் இருக்கிறது. எனது பரிபூரண ஆசியோடு கற்பிப்பாய். உன்னுள் ஜோதி எரியும் வரை நான் உன்னோடு வருவேன். ஆழ்ந்து இருப்போருடன் நான் சேர்ந்து இருக்கிறேன். உமது பிரணவத்தை கொண்டு செல். ஜோதியோடு கலப்பாய்.

In July 2020 Agathiyar break the news that the energy from the Muladhara chakra which was activated back then in 2010, and that had ponded at Svadishthana was to have its bunds broken and the water released to enable it to make its way further. 

"Currently, your Muladhara and Svadhisthana are open. The breath is currently lodged in Svadhisthana. The time of its opening is near. Now is the right time to start your practice. This would open up the chakra completely. You will see many changes take place in your body. Don't be afraid. In activating these chakras your body shall smell foul, you shall have constipation, and you shall urinate often. The Agathiyar Kuzhambu you consumed earlier (on 27 June 2022) helped stabilize your Vata, Kapha, and Pitta. Yet these Dosas need to be expelled further. Your journey till this day was external and was for worldly existence. Now you shall tread a journey that takes you within. You will come to understand the reason you were born. When your breath touches the Suzhimunai (சுழுமுனை) and travels, engaging with the chakras, upon reaching the seventh chakra, you shall get the answer. At that moment a Sakti will come within. That is சுழுமுனை or Suzhimunai. In traveling within when everything becomes clear that is Gnanam. இத்தருணம் உமக்கு மூலாதாரம் திறந்தது, ஸ்வாதிஸ்டானம் திறந்தது. இப்பொது மான் மூச்சி குளத்தில் இருக்கிறது. அவை திறக்கும் தருணம் வந்தது. இப்போதுதான் நீ உமது பயிற்சியினை தொடங்க வேண்டும். இந்த நிலையில் அச்சக்கரம் முற்றும் திறந்துவிடும். உடலில் பல மாற்றங்கள் கண்டறிவாய். பயம் கொள்ள வேண்டாம். இச்சக்கரங்களில் புணர்ச்சியால் உன் உடலில் ஏற்படும் மாற்றங்கள் துர் நாற்றம் வீசும், மலச்சிக்கல் ஏற்ப்பட்டு கழிவு ஆகும், சிறுநீர் அதிகம் வெளியேறும். அன்று நீ உண்ட குழம்பினாள் உன் உடலிலிருந்து வாதம், கபம், பித்தம் சற்றே அகன்றது. இன்னும் இருக்கிறது. அவை அகலும். இதுநாள் வரையில் நீ கடந்து வந்தது இவ்வுலக வாழ்க்கையின் பயணம். இனி நீ கடக்க போவது உமது உல் பயணம். ஆதாவது நீ பிறந்ததன் நோக்கம் அறிவாய். உமது மூச்சி உனது சுழுமுனை தொட்டு உமது ஏழு சக்கரங்களில் பயணம் செய்யும் கால் ஏழாவது சக்கரம் தொடும் நிலையில் நீ உனது பிறவிக்கான பலனை அறிவாய். உனது நிலையை நீ தொடும்போது அக்கணம் உன்னை அறியாமல் உன்னை நோக்கி ஒரு  சக்தி உன்னுள் இறங்கும் - அதுவே சுழிமுனை. நீங்கள் உள் பயணிக்கும்போது எல்லாம் தெளிவாகத் தெரியும் சமயம் திரை விலகியத்திற்கு அர்த்தம். அதுதான் ஞானம். 

The Siddhas shall start us of at the right time.

On 22.8.2020 Ramalinga Adigal tells me "Use your breath to fan the Jothi. It shall travel through Sushumna and touch Ajna. Then the Jothi is seen. Carry out Nadi Sudhi to raise the Prana. Now it does not move in both nostrils. When it travels in both nostrils, you shall then rests in perfection or Sudha Paripuranam. Dhyana will be yours then. You are one with the Prana. Pay attention to it. The changes in you is but discharges. It shall leave your body. Do not worry. What you are doing is tavam." பிரணவத்தை கொண்டு ஜோதியை சுடர் விடச்செய். சுஷும்னா வழி சென்று ஆக்கினை தொடும். பின்னர் ஜோதி தெரியும். நாடி சுத்தி செய்து பிரணவத்தை உயர்த்தவும். இப்போது இரு நாசியில் செல்ல வில்லை. இரு நாசியில் செல்லும் கால் பிரணவம் இடகலை பிங்கலையில் சீராகச் செல்லும் தருணம் சுத்த பரிபூரணத்தில் நீ ஆழ்ந்து இருப்பாய். தியானம் என்பது உனது பரிபூரணம் ஆகும். உனது பிராணவத்தில் கலந்திருக்கிறாய். பிரணவத்தில் கவனம் செலுத்து. உன்னுள் ஏற்படும் மாற்றங்கள் யாவும் கழிவுகள். அகன்று போகும். கவலை வேண்டாம். நீ செய்தது யாவும் தவம். 

True to what they said, for several weeks I had the wind travel in my abdomen causing pain in my groins and testes. The urine and motion were smelly. I asked myself if my body was decaying within. Even before this, there were traces of blood in the sputum. I had piles. I had boils appear. I understood it to be the result of excessive heat in me due to my practices. And I understood it to be a cleansing process going on within.

On 22 August 2022, I felt an "explosion of energy" in my belly as I woke up and stretched in bed. It felt like I had stretched a nerve below my belly button. I felt nauseous and my whole body became numb to the fingertips. Then a sudden swirl of energy was released in my abdomen bringing on a cold feeling throughout my body. I had to pee and ease myself. For fear that I would pee in bed, I got up to go to the toilet. I fell twice but picked myself up. It soon subsided. Towards night the top of my head was cool. I browsed the net but I came across only facts and theories written on the solar plexus but none shared a similar experience or any experience of theirs. Writer Balakumaran narrates to the news channels his experience when Yogi Ramsuratkumar touches his back and spine when he asks to see God. He mentions that he felt a chill within the bone.

The next day, I woke up to go to the loo but I could not piss. I fainted again. I called my wife asking her to bring the peacock feathers over and brush my body. My body became numb from the shoulders down. I lay like a log on my bed. I could not move an inch of my body. But I was aware of what was happening to me. I asked myself if this was what a dead body would feel like. 

Seeking answers to what had taken place, we placed a request before Agathiyar to clear the air. And he did. He told me the following. There was nothing to worry about. Previously he had told me that energy had stagnated what I understood to be at Svathisthana. Tavayogi told me that our effort is only till this chakra. They have to come and lead us on from there. It was released now. But since the chakra was activated late in life the blood is affected. The blood count will tip the scale. He gives a warning to all of us. When the chakras are activated late in life it would have some adverse results on our bodies. When the heat of tapas increases in our body, blood flow will be less bringing on numbness. This would result in urinary and excretion problems.

As it worried me and my wife, Agathiyar asked to go for a Medical checkup. He asked to seek allopathy treatment. He did treat me too by dipping my hands into a bowl of lukewarm water to the accompaniment of my family chanting the Arutperunjothi mantra. He ran his hands along my back and spine and placed his hands on my head and applied the sacred ash over my body. கவலை கொள்ள ஒன்றுமில்லை. தேங்கி இருந்த நீர் வெளி கொண்டது. ஆனபோதும் முதிர்ந்த நிலையில் சக்கரங்கள் திறப்பதனால் உதிர வாட்டம் கொண்டுள்ளது. ஆகையால் எண்கள் மேரு பெறும். ஆங்கில மருத்துவம் கொண்டு அதனைச் சுத்தம் செய்து கோல். முதிர்ச்சியில் சக்கரங்கள் திறக்கும்போது அவ்வுடல் சில பாதிப்பினை ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளும். ஆகையால் மருத்துவம் உனக்குத் தேவை. உனது உடலில் உஷ்ணம் ஏற ஏற உதிரம் குறையும். உதிரம் குறைந்தால் உடல் மறுத்துப் போகும். உடல் மறுத்துப் போனால் சிறுநீர் கோளாறு கழிவில் கோளாறு. மருத்துவம் கொண்டு அதைச் சீர் படுத்திக் கொள்.

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

The doctor gave us both a clean sheet. Agathiyar removed the fear in us though both he and Ramalinga Adigal had told us not to fear on numerous occasions. Though I knew a cleansing process was going on within I needed assurance that it was not a medical problem or problems that crop up with old age. 

The Siddhas never abandon us in times of need.

When I ask him for an easier approach, Agathiyar tells me that there is no easier way to attain or merge with the breath, the sensation, the vibration, the magnetism, the Prapanjam, and the Jothi. With a little effort from us, the Siddhas shall aid us further. Then the energies will do the rest. 

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

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

Ramalinga Adigal speaks of my gurus in high regard.

"Supramania Swami was the guru who led you to the path of worship to guru. He taught you guru bakti or devotion to the guru. You received the merits from his tapas. Tavayogi too in his light form, is trying to bring salvation to you. He is traveling with you. You traveled in his way and followed his teachings. You spread his fame and helped him attain the state of Jothi. He who is currently with you shall continue to travel with you." சுப்ரமணியன் உனக்கு வழிநடுத்திய குரு. குருவைத் தொடர்ந்திருக்கும் ஒரு சீடன் அக்குருவை எவ்வாறு நடத்த வேண்டும் என்று கல்வியை சுப்ரமணியன் உனக்குப் போதித்தான். அவன் தவ வலிமையை நீ பெற்றாய். தவயோகி ஆத்ம ஜோதியாய் உங்களை கரை தேர்த இன்னமும் முயற்சிக்கிறான். உங்களோடே பயணிக்கிறான். அவன் வழி நடந்து முழுமையாக கடைபிடித்து வரும் ஒரு சீடன் நீ. அவன் புகழை பரப்பிய உன் தவ வலிமையால் அவன் ஜோதி நிலை தொட்டு விட்டான். தற்பொழுது அவன் உங்களை வழி நடுத்த உங்கள் அருகில்தான் இருக்கிறான். இன்னும் இன்றும் உங்களோடு பயணிக்கிறான்.

A train can be delayed for several minutes for several reasons. Due to the non-availability of the path (platform/line), the trains have to wait at an outer signal or the adjacent station until the platform is vacated by preoccupied trains. Or work such as the construction of additional platforms. Constraints of station line capacity. (https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/) Just as the train stops at numerous places and for other reasons besides alighting and embarking of its passengers so that they arrive at their destinations safely the gurus too pull us back or drive us forward accordingly. They might even stall our journey and let us go visit the town and delve into the pleasures it has to offer. The gurus are willing to wait meantime. Sadly we tend to take too long shopping and bring back more pieces of baggage that need to be cleared later or in other births. This is how the gurus lead us by the hand at times, carry us across at other times, accompany us or follow us. They meticulously pave the way removing the dangers and traps. 

WE ARE MORE THAN THE EYE CAN SEE

When Agathiyar brushed aside my pain telling me that it was "paarisa peedhai" I realized that whatever pain and discomfort I have had as a result of my practices was not in the physical body but the energy body. But the places it appeared in made me worry if there was a medical problem. In fact, I had asked Suren who frequented India then to ask if Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar of Kallar Ashram could look into her Jeeva Nadi and identify if my problems were because of a medical issue, due to old age, or in fact the movement of energies. But though it was not answered then, Agathiyar, Dhanvantri, and Lord Murugan came and clarified that tattvas and energies could create havoc. Then we are told in the documentary film "Samadhi - The Pathless Path" that Carl Jung said, "To touch heaven one's roots must reach into hell",  out of the furnace of Babylon comes transformation, transfiguration, and new human potential. The Eastern traditions say that the lotus of awakening grows out of the mud of samskara, out of suffering.  What you see around you right now may seem like darkness, it may seem like madness. Actually, this is what awakening looks like on planet earth. What we are witnessing is a release of the old paradigm. You are witnessing the dismantling of old patterns. The collective samskaras or conditioned pattern creates the conditions of Maya. Many people are disillusioned with the current political, social, economic, and religious systems. This dispelling of illusion is a necessary part of seeing the truth."

And in a timely manner, Agathiyar just hours ago through Mahindren in explaining Sivavakiyar's song says the same. Due to man's inappropriate lifestyle, the Muladhara chakra or Kulam (pond or lake) has been dammed and prevented from flowing, with continuous practice of breathing techniques over time the chakras gain power or energy or Shakti. By continuing this one can become light and continue living as light, can become Brahmam in the Paraveli and reach the Holy Feet of Sivan who drank the poison.

மனிதனின் முறை அற்ற வாழ்வியல் முறையால் முடக்க பட்டுக் கிடக்கும் மூலாதார சக்ரம் (இங்குக் குளம் என்பது சக்கரத்தைக் குறிப்பதாகும்)
காலத்தினால் மேட்கொள்ளும் மூச்சி பயிற்சியினால் சக்கரம் சக்திகொள்ளும்
அப்படி செய்து வரவே ஒளியாகி வாழலாம் பரவெளியில் பிரமம் ஆகலாம் விஷம் குடித்த அந்தச் சிவனின் பாதம் அடையலாம்.

Agathiyar had some time back lamented that nobody is following the Siddha way or சித்தர் வாழ்கை நெறி முறைகள். We have shoved the Siddhas into the pages of history and into the large volumes of books that fill the shelves. Theirs remains a mere story to this day.  Michael Wood in speaking on Confucius in the "The Story of China", in the episode on "Ancestors" on BBC Earth, says of him, "Confucious is a living teacher in an unbroken tradition." Then sadly Michael moves on to say that "No ruler bought into Confucious's manifesto for change." Ramalinga Adigal too tried hard to bring change but left disappointed telling his followers that they had failed to listen and that the west shall catch up and pick up his teachings. 

Swami Muktananda in his "Kundalini - The Secret of Life", a Siddha Yoga Publication, published by the SYDA foundation, 1994, wrote the same.

"As Kundalini moves up through Sushumna, she transforms the body and makes it fit for spiritual sadhana; it is only after the body has been purified that the shakti can work with full force. The basis of all disease and pain is the impurities that block the flow of prana in the nadis. These blockages are caused by imbalances and disorders in the three bodily humors - wind, bile, and phlegm - due to undisciplined habits of eating and immoderate living. In order to purify the nadis, kundalini inspires the various Hatha yogic movements or kriyas, which take place in the physical body."

Indeed the breath has had total control of me, coming on and spontaneously moving my insides. There were times in the past when my limbs moved on their own accord or rather these energies moved my limbs. It took place at the Sri Jeganathar Alayam in Tapah several times. It happened at Lord Muruga's abode at Thannirmalai, Penang. And at the caves in Sungai Siput where I was caught off-guard and landed in a dark pit, missing some boulders by inches. The spot used to be where our Paramaguru and Tavayogi's guru Chitramuthu Adigal had meditated. It happened at temples in India too.

The Siddhas brought us to the realization that we are not solely the Annamaya Kosa. You need the energy to move a thing. The prana and Pranamaya Kosa are the energy body that moves the physical. So what is this "I" then? Is it the physical body or the Pranayama Kosa? We cannot possibly be the body or the energy alone for we have a mind that thinks and drives the energy to move the body. So are we then the Manomaya Kosa? But wait a minute! We realize that there is someone driving our thoughts, driving us to think, analyze, judge, and opine. So are we the Vignanamaya Kosa then? 

This body is lifeless without the energy derived from prana in food, water, and sunlight. This body is lifeless without the energy of the Pranayama Kosa. This body is lifeless without the Manomaya Kosa too. We turn into idiots without the Vignanamaya Kosa. All the experience gained through this composite body of 4 Kosas leads us to joy when it connects with the pleasures derived from the sense organs and bliss when it connects with the divine experiences. When we become drenched in the bliss that sheath of bliss is Anandamaya Kosa. 

We are told that we are by nature a buddha or divine. We are the Atma, pure in nature. The Atma is only seen to be separate from the Paramatma when it leaves the home to stay with the Annamaya Kosa and Pranamaya Kosa momentarily just as a teen is eager to move out of his parent's home to gain his own experiences and supposedly be free. As Tavayogi says we need the body to know the breath, and we check the breath to ascertain if there is life in the body, both Annamaya and Pranayama Kosas are essential to exist and for survival. This is the state of plants and animals. Man has an added faculty that of the Manomaya Kosa to think. He is then gifted with the Arivu or intelligence that is the Vignanamaya Kosa so that he makes wise decisions. The wisdom in him leads him to know his Atma that is forever in a state of bliss in the Anandamaya Kosa.  

MORE CLARIFICATIONS

If I carried out the Pranayama practices in the morning hours some two hours before sunrise, learning from the books initially in the eighties and later from Tavayogi in 2008, and from Agathiyar too who kept giving us regular updates like Microsoft's Patch Tuesday fixes, these days the breath determines when I should sit and contemplate. It drives me to sit whenever I have a sensation come on in the crown of my head. I realized that I could connect with the sensation in the crown of my head by merely bringing my thought to that spot. Besides this, it goes on as I move about doing my now limited chores during the day. Rather than me being aware of it, I feel that it is watching me continuously. For the past hour watching my breathing and taking long and deep breaths, while gently breathing in and out, the Shakti hijacked the moment. The breathing took a turn and became vigorous and spontaneous.

I had prepared a draft of my next posts and forwarded it to Mahindren last night for his perusal and opinion and if possible Agathiyar's views too for the memo clarifying the meaning of Udal, Uyir and Atma sometime back came through him. 

This was the draft.

On 30.1. 2020 Agathiyar told me that I had stagnated in my worldly affairs and told me that, "You cannot possibly break the shackle alone. Hence follow the practices that I am to give you." நீ உலக வாழ்க்கையில் நீர்தேங்கிறாய். இவ்கடிவாளத்தால் உம்மால் மீண்டு வர இயலாது. ஆகையால் யாம் சொல்லும் வழிமுறைகளைச் செய்து வா.

In July of 2022, he told me that "Currently your Muladhara and Svadhisthana are open. At present your breath is at the pond (lake). மான் மூச்சி குளத்தில் இருக்கிறது. The time of its opening is near. Now is the right time to start your practice. This would open up the chakra completely. இத்தருணம் உமக்கு மூலாதாரம் திறந்தது, ஸ்வாதிஸ்டானம் திறந்தது. இப்பொது மான் மூச்சி குளத்தில் இருக்கிறது. அவை திறக்கும் தருணம் வந்தது. இப்போதுதான் நீ உமது பயிற்சியினை தொடங்க வேண்டும். இந்த நிலையில் அச்சக்கரம் முற்றும் திறந்துவிடும். 

When he mentioned இப்பொது மான் மூச்சி குளத்தில் இருக்கிறது, I understood that the breath is currently lodged in Svadhisthana as water is linked to the Svadhisthana chakra. 

Shortly after on 22 August 2022, I felt a pull of a nerve and a tug right below the navel immediately upon waking up and stretching myself in bed at 6.40am. It brought on a swirling sensation followed by a chillness. My whole body became numb right to the tips. But it was blissful. Soon I felt nauseous and had the urge come on to pee and urine. I collapsed twice on the way to the toilet picking myself up each time. Back from the toilet, all was fine. 

The next day, I woke up at 7.20am, to go to the loo but I could not piss. I collapsed again. I called my wife asking her to bring the peacock feathers over. I picked myself up and climbed onto the bed. She stroked my body with it. My body became numb from the shoulders down. I lay like a dead log on my bed. Although I could not move even an inch of my torso I was able to see, hear and talk and was aware of what was happening to me. I asked myself if this was what a dead body would feel like. Soon it went away.

Seeking answers to what had taken place, Agathiyar cleared the air later. He told me not to worry and said that the ponded water was released. கவலை கொள்ள ஒன்றுமில்லை. தேங்கி இருந்த நீர் வெளி கொண்டது. Previously he had told me that energy had stagnated which I understood as at the Svathisthana. It was released now. 

Days later I came across a piece on the net that was interesting since it related to what Agathiyar had said about the ponding and stagnation. The writer BG Venkatesh referred to the verse எனது குளத்தினும் நிரம்பிய குரு சிவபதியே of Ramalinga Adigal from his Arutpa. The writer wrote, 

"Vallalar says "Enathu kulathinum nirambia guru sivapathiye" - here kulam (forehead - netri) means lake and also it means a water body same as river Yamuna also a water body. Hence, Kundalini is in the forehead, not at the base of the spine as the whole world is thinking and spiritual masters have been passing on this message down the ages. Kundalini activation can happen thru a technique called "chalana thanthiram" which has to be learned from a competent guru without which, kundalini can never be activated. Also, without the help of the sacred feet of the lord, kundalini cant be activated. No ascending and descending of it - it is stationary and dormant at a single point blocking our entry into cosmic space. It can be zeroed that kundalini is closing the tip of the suzhumunai with its poisonous mouth. Sadhaka, on reaching the kundalinis location, awakens it, keeps it aside off his way, and makes his way to the cosmic space and marches ahead. This is the small role, kundalini plays in our yoga system, whatever yoga we do or follow."

This was interesting. If the pond or lake was at the forehead, it would mean that I had traversed far over the years and stagnated at the forehead and not the Svathisthana that I understood. When Agathiyar said I had seen Sadasiva does that mean I had arrived at the Ajna chakra since Sadasiva is the lord of this chakra?

Swami Muktananda in his, "Secret of the Siddhas", a Siddha Yoga Publication, 1980, writes, "Kundalini has three specific locations at the base of the spine in the heart and at the crown of the head."

Looking for this verse I found it in Ramalinga Adigal's Agaval. It was the 1038 verse.

உளத்தினும் கண்ணினும் உயிரினும் எனது குளத்தினும் நிரம்பிய குருசிவ பதியே 

There was an explanation given too. Ramalinga Adigal sings that his guru Sivam gives his darshan at 4 places. Manam, Kan, Uyir and Netri.

உரை : எனது மனத்தினும், கண்ணினும், உயிரிலும், நெற்றியிலும் நிறைவுடன் தோன்றுவது ஞான குருவாகிய சிவம். எ.று. குளம் - நெற்றி; கழுத்துமாம். (Source: திருவருட்பா மூலமும் - உரையும், உரைவேந்தர் ஒளவை சு.துரைசாமிப்பிள்ளை உரை)

When I searched for the said technique called "chalana thanthiram" mentioned by the writer, it brought me to another interesting article of his Parkadal kadaithal - Churning the milky ocean, at https://groups.google.com/g/vallalargroups/c/S7I2Kyh6KbQ?pli=1

"There's a mythological story that once the milky ocean was churned using the Pranava mountain with a  divine serpent Vasuki by devas and demons on either side. Initially, came poison was consumed by Lord Shiva, and then came many virtuous things like Goddess Laxmi and other things, etc."

Does this ring a bell? Swami Muktananda in another of his work, "Kundalini - The Secret of Life", a Siddha Yoga Publication, published by the SYDA foundation, 1994, wrote,

"It is only after the body has been purified that the shakti can work with full force. The basis of all disease and pain is the impurities that block the flow of prana in the nadis. These blockages are caused by imbalances and disorders in the three bodily humors - wind, bile, and phlegm. She (kundalini) penetrates all 720 million nadis consumes all the old decaying fluids, then releases vital energy into them all. The nadis become filled with prana."

Swami Muktananda writes "In order to experience kundalini shakti one must use the instrument of the human body. The records of all the karmas of countless lifetimes are stored in the Sushumna Nadi which extends from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Shakti dwells at the base of the spine in the spiritual center called the Muladhara and Shiva at the crown of the head in the center called Sahasrara. The awakened Shakti rises from the base of the spine and unites with Shiva. This union brings perfection. One needs the grace of the guru and the compassion of kundalini." (Swami Muktananda, "Secret of the Siddhas", a Siddha Yoga Publication, 1980)

Agathiyar too has mentioned that shakti brings one to a state of perfection. We learn that the word Siddha in Sanskrit means the Perfected Ones. Hence we need to care for it and prepare it to receive the awakening of this shakti. For this purpose, we need a true guru who has seen her activated and alive in his body and has managed her. 

I have the answer as to why I missed the awakening said to have taken place many years back after reading Swami Muktananda's book. 

"Because the Shakti is subtler than the subtlest some people may not be aware of it during the initial stages of practice."

I guess I already was seeing it in action but did not realize it. 

"A seeker experiences the fact that the Shakti can be drawn into the body from different sources such as the sun, clouds, fire, lightning, air, and ether. All objects are suffused with God's power. "The Shakti works in all 4 bodies: physical, subtle, causal, and supra causal."

I guess Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal and even Supramania Swami knowing that I could never meditate chose to be lenient on me.

"Even if one cannot meditate deeply on one's own by receiving Shakti from the guru one will automatically experience all yogic kriyas. 

Then there is another song of Sivavakiyar that BG Venkatesh hints on, 

மூலமாம் குளத்திலே முளைத்தெழுந்த கோரையை
காலமே எழுந்திருந்து நாலுகட்ட றுப்பிரேல்
பாலனாகி வாழலாம் பரப்பிரமம் ஆகலாம்
ஆலமுண்ட கண்டர்பாதம் அம்மைபாதம் உண்மையே.

We shall wait for Agathiyar or Ramalinga Adigal to clarify further.

This was the draft that I forwarded to Mahindren. As I type these posts it is half past three in the morning and I am beginning to get hunger pangs. Mahindren is corresponding with me on the other side through Whatsapp. He sends me Agathiyar's clarification on this post.

The meaning of this Song Anna,

“மூலமாம் குளத்திலே முளைத்தெழுந்த கோரையை

காலமே எழுந்திருந்து நாலுகட்ட றுப்பிரேல்

பாலனாகி வாழலாம் பரப்பிரமம் ஆகலாம்

ஆலமுண்ட கண்டர்பாதம் அம்மைபாதம் உண்மையே.”

மனிதனின் முறை அற்ற வாழ்வியல் முறையால் முடக்க பட்டுக் கிடக்கும் மூலாதார சக்ரம் (இங்குக் குளம் என்பது சக்கரத்தைக் குறிப்பதாகும்)
காலத்தினால் மேட்கொள்ளும் மூச்சி பயிற்சியினால் சக்கரம் சக்திகொள்ளும்
அப்படி செய்து வரவே ஒளியாகி வாழலாம் பரவெளியில் பிரமம் ஆகலாம் விஷம் குடித்த அந்தச் சிவனின் பாதம் அடையலாம்

Manithanin Muraiyadra Vazhviyal Muraiyaal 

Mudakapaddu Kidakum Muladhara Sakkaram 

(Ingu Kulam Enbathu Sakkarathai Kuripathaagum), 

Kaalathinaal Medkolum Muchi Payirchinaal Sakkaram Sakthikolum,

Appadi Seithu Varave Oliyaagi Vazhalaam 

Paravezhiyile Brahmam Aagalaam,

Vizham Kuditha Antha Sivanin Paathai Adaiyalaam

Due to man's inappropriate lifestyle, the Muladhara chakra or Kulam (pond or lake) has been dammed and prevented from flowing. With continuous practice of breathing techniques over time, the chakras gain power or energy or Shakti. By continuing this one can become light and continue living as light, can become Brahmam in the Paraveli and reach the Holy Feet of Sivan who drank the poison.

இத்தருணம் உமக்கு மூலாதாரம் திறந்தது, ஸ்வாதிஸ்டானம் திறந்தது. இப்பொது மான் மூச்சி குளத்தில் இருக்கிறது. அவை திறக்கும் தருணம் வந்தது. இப்போதுதான் நீ உமது பயிற்சியினை தொடங்க வேண்டும். இந்த நிலையில் அச்சக்கரம் முற்றும் திறந்துவிடும். 

During this time Anna stagnated at Manipura Chakra. That’s why Appa asked to do Breathing Exercises to make the flow easier.

R Venugopal writes in his "Soul Searchers - The Art of Breathing", Health Harmony, New Delhi, 2000, "The Svadishtana is regarded as a blockage to the awakening of the kundalini. He says the actual awakening starts from the Manipura chakra only. Till the time Manipura chakra does not get purified and awakened the kundalini cannot rise fully."

எனது குளத்தினும் நிரம்பிய குரு சிவபதியே

Vallalar solliyathu Thannudaiya Chakrangal Elumbave Tannul Jothiyaai Iruntha Sivathai Arithen வள்ளலார் சொல்லியது தன்னுடைய சக்கரங்கள் எழும்பவே தன்னுள் ஜோதியாய் இருந்த சிவத்தை அறிந்தேன். 

From here what I can understand is that normal human who doesn’t follow any practice for breathing and doing all kind of activities is what makes them lock their chakras and have issues. If it was learned from Guru and practiced in daily life the Chakra activation will be smoother.