CW Leadbeater wrote in his book "The Chakras - A Monograph" that contrary to the common belief that the body possesses the soul, "the exact opposite is the truth. Man is a soul and owns a body - several bodies in fact." From this and from reading Neale Donald Walsch's "Conversation with God", reading Tavayogi's "Andamum Pindamum" and from Agathiyar's memo to us, we understand that the Atma or soul, in cohort with the Uyir or breath or prana, assembles the body for its purpose either for want of a new experience or to carry out a specific purpose and hides itself. The Pranavayu is the primary cause of the conception of an embryo and a fetus. The Pranavayu that flows in with the 5 gross elements or tattvas derived from both the parents move to take a shape. We then say life is given to it, or it is alive, or it is breathed into the Pindam. The Atma (Jeevatama) stays with the child for some time and hides behind the curtain waiting for him/her to find it as in the game of hide and seek. In going into hiding, the Atma gives way to his/her karma to unfold for the time being. Contrary to the common belief that the Atma carries the imprints of karma, Agathiyar reveals that the Atma helps clear our karma by showing us the way. When we are caught in the grips of Maya or illusion in this world, we never realize the existence of the Atma. But by the grace of the Guru, we know of its existence in us and take steps to seek it. We realize the importance of the Udal then and begin to treasure it for the Uyir is known through the Udal and vice versa. When he/her begin to question life, the Atma comes to aid in revealing his/her karma and shows the means and methods to subdue it. By engaging in Aram, Dharma, or charity we offset karma. The Atma with the guru comes to do its part in ridding it completely later. When the ego, desire, and attachment are severed or surrendered, we are freed completely. In meditation, it is burnt to ashes. Once karma has cleared, his search for his selfish gain loses its intensity and the search to know the Atma intensifies. His seeking would be solely on knowing the Atma (Agathiyar) and reaching him. Tavam brings the grace of the Atma to draw the veils aside. We become enlightened or attain Gnanam when we arrive at knowing it. That is Atma Darisanam.
Speaking about the chakras, CWL writes,
"In the undeveloped person the chakras are usually in comparatively sluggish motion, just forming the necessary vortex for the force, and no more. In a more evolved man, they may be glowing and pulsating with living light so that an enormously greater amount of energy passes through them, with the result that there are additional faculties and possibilities open to man." We see these energies in full drive in children. It tapers down as we age and in the old, we see them lose the drive or "spirit" to live.
When I asked Agathiyar to make me understand all that I read, saw, heard, and others sharings, he told me that my experience (Anubhavam) shall become my knowledge or wisdom (Arivu). I guess he is asking me to rely on my own experience rather than take on another's. It is interesting to note that in helping us go within, Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal gave us some techniques that slowly moved on to another and another, moving us from placing efforts to having things happen spontaneously. I did not realize this until later. First, in having us go within, they asked us to do Nadi Sudhi. There was an effort on our part in practicing this. They told us that as we placed the effort, so shall we reap its benefits. Later they told us just to observe the breath, telling us that it shall move on its own. We were to just follow it. Here there was no effort or involvement on our part. We stood a witness to it. When Tavayogi told me that breath or Vaasi was God, I did not understand then. Only when we had moved within in Yoga from Sariyai and Kriyai, initially praying to pictures and idols of God, have we come to acknowledge the fact that breath is indeed God. Soon, Agathiyar asked that we observe the vibration (Athirvu) that was felt and follow it. In asking to know his true form as we were laden with so many images of Gods, Agathiyar told us that he was the inner feeling or sensation or Ul Unarvu felt when we sit to meditate, do puja, and do charity. God is now in this vibration. From Pranayama or the practice of tuning and balancing the breath to just being aware and observing it to following the vibration that is set in motion, Agathiyar brings us to watch and move with the Magnetic Wave that arose within now. And I thought nothing was happening. I always told him that I could not go within. Knowing him to only come and explain after we have had the experience, he began to list each feeling and change that took place in me subtly. How could I have missed them? I didn't even realize I was there until he started asking me questions if I had felt, seen, etc. Then he goes on to explain the matter. Asking if I felt or saw some change in me, he would ask me to go with the flow.
I guess the reason I did not recognize these feelings and changes is that with all the reading, watching, and hearing about the spiritual stuff around us, the experiences spoke of by others, and the eye-catching animations, drawings, graphics, and illustrations accompanying these text and videos, we were tuned to expect something of that nature - to see, feel or experience. Indeed, Swami Tadatmananda says the same in his talk in the video titled "Kundalini Yoga -- as Envisioned by the Ancient Yogis." He says, "I am completely turned off by the way it has been distorted and misrepresented. I am tired of seeing dazzling rainbow-hued chakras, and bodies emitting fountains of light from every pore. Images like these portray a practice that has virtually nothing in common with its ancient origins. Yet, people seem drawn to glitzy illustrations and trendy new-age beliefs."
Finally, once the chakras are open we come to the state of having Siddhis unfold, or that is what the vast literature on it says. Let us wait and see for ourselves.
Babaji in communicating with VT Neelakantan tells him to take care of his health. VTN writes in "Babaji's Masterkey To All Ills",
Your body is your temple. It is the horse you ride upon and it must be as fit as a fiddle. It is of utmost importance. Without good health you cannot fulfill my mission - and I want you to fulfill it. I will see you do it. You must make yourself fit for me and my mission.
Babaji goes on to prescribe a diet to strengthen VTN's body to fulfill his mission.
If human birth is said to be rare, it is only proper that the human body is treasured and guarded. But looking around me I feel sad that people do not care for it. When it breaks down only then do they go look for a panacea. The Siddhas were known to care for their bodies hence the reminder from Babaji to VTN too. I too am often reminded to take care of my body and health. Why should they be interested to save us? Why should Agathiyar and Lord Murugan come through the numerous Nadi readings and later come through devotees for our sake? That is the compassion and care the Siddhas show towards us. They are here to draw the veil aside and bring us out of the state of ignorance that has enveloped us for far too long. And what do we do in return? We turn elsewhere, we look elsewhere, and we are preoccupied with other things.
TR Thulasiram wrote in his booklet "தெய்வீக மனித புது இன சிருஷ்டிக்கு அருட்பிரகாசரும் ஸ்ரீ அரவிந்தரும் அன்னையும்" that Ramalinga Adigal very much wanted others to realize his experience and state. He went further to bring the Jothi within these people and have him rule over them. "தம்மை பொறுத்த மட்டில் அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி அனுபவத்தை பூரணமாக தம் ஆதாரத்தின் முழுவதிலும் மேலும் கீழும் உள்ளும் புறமும் சுற்றும் சூழ்வும் மனோபிராண இந்திரியங்கள் உள்பட உடலிலும் நிறைந்து விளங்கும் பேற்றை வள்ளல் பெருமான் பெற்ற இருந்தார். என்றாலும் ஜோதியை உலகிற்கு கொண்டு வரவும் இங்கு நில உலகில் நிலை நிறுத்தவும் கூட்டாக எல்லா மக்களிடை உள்ளும் புறமும் விளங்கி நேரடியான அரசாட்சி செய்யவும் வேண்டி அவர் எல்லா வழிகளிலும் முயன்று ஈடுபட்டு தவங் கிடந்தார்."
We saw his desire and wish to see us attain his state too when he came the very first time on 14.3.2020, calling out to Arutperunjothi to shower his grace and bless us. We had to hold on to the devotee through whom Ramalinga Adigal came, for he was light and seemed weightless. His feet were off the ground and he was I guess levitating. This reminds us of Tavayogi's writings on gravity. As science says that we and everything else on the face of the earth are subjected to the pull of gravity exerted from its center and once we break loose of its force we are space-borne and free, so too man is subjected to this force within his body. By transforming his body chemically he breaks loose of its hold and he is free and liberated. As one energy form is converted to another so too the gross body is transformed into a body of light. பூமியின் ஈர்ப்புச் சக்தியான மையப் பகுதியைக் கடந்து எந்த ஒரு பொருளோ புவி ஈர்ப்புத் தன்மைக்கு அப்பால் சென்றால் அது வெட்டவெளியில் சுதந்திரமாக மிதக்கிறது என்று விஞ்ஞானம் கூறுகிறது. அதேபோல் மனிதனும் தன்னை கீழ்நோக்கி இருக்கும் மூலாதார சக்தியை மேல் நோக்கிச் செலுத்தினால் பிண்டத்தின் ஈர்ப்புச் சக்தியைக் கடந்தால் மனிதனும் வெட்டவெளியில் சுதந்திரமாக இருக்கலாம். ஆனால் மனிதன் உடலில் இருக்கும் வரை மேல்நோக்கிப் பயணம் செய்ய முடியாது. ஆகவே பஞ்சபூத உடலை வேதியியல் மாற்றத்தால் மாற்றி மூல அணுவாக மாற்றிப் புவியீர்ப்புக் கோட்டை கடந்து வெட்ட வெளியில் சேர்ந்து சுதந்திரமாக உலாவுவதே ஞானம் ஆகும். அதுவே சொரூப சித்தி எனப்படும். அதைப் போதிப்பதுதான் சித்தர் நெறி.
This was what we saw take place before our eyes. Ramalinga Adigal told us that Arutperunjothi blesses us. He sang the following verses in a state of extreme bliss that charged us too. We could sense and feel the energy that came with him and it expanded all around us uplifting us too at the same time. என் பெருமானே என்னுள் வந்து அருளிய ஜோதி அது... என் பெருமான் அருளிய ஜோதி அது.... திரை எனும் திரை எனும் என் பெருமான் காட்டிய திரை அது.... என் அருள் அப்பன் அருள் ஜோதி அது... சீர்ஜோதி அது, பெருஞ் ஜோதி அது... ஏறும் பெரும் ஜோதி அது, என்னுள் அது ஏறும்போது திரை அது விலகியது... என்னுள் அது ஏறும் நிலையில் ஜோதி அது ஜோதி அது... திரை எனும் திரை அது அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி அது...
Then he came down to our level and went on to show us the way to bring the effulgence within and keep it burning. திரை விலக உங்களில் இருக்கும் ஜோதி அதனைச் சுடர்விட செய்யுங்கள். என் அப்பன் அகத்தியன் உங்களுக்குள் வந்து அத்திரையை விலக்கிவிடுவார். அதுவே இப்பாடலின் பொருள். என் அப்பன் அகத்தியன் உங்களுக்குள் இருந்து வழி நடத்தி வருகிறார். அவன் வழியிலே நடந்து வாருங்கள். அத்திரை விலக்குவதற்க்கு அவன் அருள் புரிவான்.
He concluded by telling us again that Arutperunjothi blessed us and that we were on the right track. He added that Agathiyar shall lead us to Arutperunjothi. அருட்ஜோதி உங்களை ஆசீர்வதித்தது. அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி ஆண்டவர் உங்களை ஆசீர்வதித்தார். செல்லும் வழி சரி. அகத்தியன் அருட்ஜோதியை நோக்கி அழைத்துச் செல்வான்.
During Agathiyar's Jayanthi on 23 December of 2021, we lit the homam and did abhisegam to Agathiyar's statue. While Mahin was dressing him up, I picked up Ramalinga Adigal's "Agaval" and begin to recite it knowing pretty well that the 1596 verses would take some 2 hours to recite as I have been reading the Agaval solo and with my family numerous times. Though we never could comprehend it we enjoyed the melody. That day I could only recite until verses 305, "நாயினுங் கடையே னீயினு மிழிந்தேன் ஆயினு மருளிய வருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி", when strong emotions came over me and I began to sob. I struggled to continue further but could not go beyond verse 336. I could feel the words reverb in me having me recall similar experiences. I stopped singing. But to our amazement, Ramalinga Adigal came through a devotee and picked up from where I stopped. His words were not from the original "Arutpa" but were coined in real time. As he took us by surprise, we could only record the later path of his song. It went as follows ........ என்னுள்ளீல் நீ உன்னுள்ளில் நான் அதுவே அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி, .. போகமும் யோகமும் அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி,… நீ கடந்து அறிவே நீ அறியும் அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி, எல்லாம் செய் சித்தம் சிவனடி சேரும் அதுவே அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி, ஆண்மையும் பெண்மையும் கலந்தன இறுதியில் வெளிப்படும் வெளிச்சமே அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி, இவை எல்லாம் தாண்டிக் கடந்தபின் காண்பது அதுவே அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி, இளமையில் நீ செய்யும் யோகங்கள் யாவும் முதுமையில் சேர்ந்திடும் அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி, ஜோதியுள் ஜோதி அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி, குளிர்ந்தது ஜோதி, வெப்பமும் ஜோதி, நீயும் ஜோதி, நானும் ஜோதி, பிரபஞ்சம் முழுதும் ஜோதி, மின்மினி போல் மின்னும் ஜோதி, பரத்தில் இருக்கும் அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி, இப்பரதேசியில் காண்பதும் ஜோதி.
God is energy. The Siddhas are energy. The world too is filled with energies. The other realms too are energies. It is all a play of energies. Science tells us that there is sound energy caused by vibrations; light energy from luminous objects; kinetic energy from movements; stored chemical energy; thermal energy or heat or infrared radiation; magnetic energy as in producing vibrations in loudspeakers that in turn produce sound energy and used in turbines to produce electrical energy; electrical energy that produces powerful bolts of lightning and that runs appliances and equipment; nuclear energy found at the center of an atom, the nucleus; elastic potential energy; gravitational potential energy. (Source: Science Geeks)
Similarly, the Siddhas had come as energies when I and my family visited temples. They came as energies during the many Siddha pujas we hosted at AVM. Drawing the curtains close, I was instructed to quit all the Pujas, practices, methods, and means and sit quietly, adopting silence and go within. I am to witness the play of energies that Agathiyar had triggered within by activating my chakras without my knowledge and effort. He comes often but only after the process takes place and I have had the experiences. He reveals what took place. He wants me to share the experience and the science behind it with readers. I am grateful to him. I am indebted to him. He is my savior.
It saddens me to see people see the Siddhas only as medicine men and Siddha practitioners and practitioners of rituals. They know them for their Nadi and ability to see the past, present, and future. Is that who a Siddha is? A Siddha's ability and achievements go beyond performing Siddhis. This is not their core business. They know the secret to transforming this physical body into one that lives beyond the natural life span of a human being. They also know the secret to transform this physical body and its tattvas, purifying it and changing this physical body into that of Pranava Degam and Gnana Degam. Shouldn't we learn this from them instead of eyeing gaining Siddhis or powers to perform feats? We are indeed a disillusioned lot. We have our priorities wrong.
We learned earlier about traveling the internal journey and its corresponding stages, bringing a transformation by purifying the tattvas, enhancing the Uyir or breath, and using them both to reach the abode of the Atma that is Agni Peedham, entering it and merging with the Atma. Once the body separates back into the respective tattvas, now purified, the Uyir or breath merges in the Atma and reaches Agathiyar as the Jothi. But if he who is now considered a Siddha chooses, could prolong his lifespan and keep his physical body intact by means of taking Kaya Kalpa he is then known as a Jeevan Mukthan or one who has attained Jeeva Mukti.
We learn further from V. Balaramaiah in his book "Sarira Thathuvam & Saaga Kalai",
Strengthening the body by means of Kaya Siddhi, and as a result, transforming it, one can live as long as he chooses to avoid or postpone death. Or he could choose to transform the body of gross material of 96 tattvas to that of a subtle nature, bringing the count to 36 or even 24 tattvas, attaining Pranava Degam or Gnana Degam and merging in the Per Oli. This is in fact rebirth. If a Siddha needs to carry out work, he hangs around in the physical body. Otherwise, they seek to attain the state of oneness with the divine. Agathiyar told me that he had to pull Tavayogi to carry out his work in his realm of Jothi.
உடலை வலிவு பெறச் செய்து ஆதாவது காயசித்தி செய்து அதனால் மறுமலர்ச்சி உண்டாக்கி கால வரம்பின்றி சாவைத் தவிர்த்து உலகில் வாழலாம். அல்லது உடலைச் சூக்குமமாகி பிராண தேகமாக்கி ஞான தேகம் பெற்று பேரொளியில் கலந்து ஆனந்தமயத்தில் நிறைவு பெறலாம் என்கின்றனர் சித்தர்கள். இதுவே மாற்றிப் பிறப்பதாம். இவ்விரண்டினுள் சாவு நீங்கிய நிலையில் சித்தர்கள் இவ்வுலகில் தங்களால் ஆகவேண்டிய காரியம் ஏதேனும் இருந்தாலொழிய தூல உடலுடன் இவ்வுலகிடை வாழ்வார்களே. அல்லாமல் இரண்டாவதாகச் சொல்லப்பட்ட கடவுள் தன்மையை அடைவதையே விரும்புவார்கள்.
Transforming the body (Marul Degam) by ridding the body of impurity and in the process making the cells divine (Sudha Degam), and in the process undergoing bodily changes leading to Pranava Degam and Gnana Degam one arrives at Gnana Siddhi easily.
உடலை அமலமாக்கின் இருள் தேகமான இவ்வுடலுள்ள அழுக்குகள் வெளியேற்றப்பட்டு ஜீவ அணுக்கள் தெய்வீகத்தன்மை அடைகிறது. தேகம் பல மாறுதல்கள் அடைந்து பிரணவ தேகம் அடைந்து ஞான தேகம் பெற்று ஞான சித்தி அடைகிறான். ஞான தேகம் கிட்டினால் ஞான சித்தி கிட்டுவது சுலபமாகிறது.
The bride (Atma) that seeks to meet her beloved travels the path of silence (Mauna Thiru Veethi) within asking the Manam not to interfere or sabotage her yearning to reach the abode of her lover and husband.
It is by his grace that we have been given another chance to come back as human beings.
It is by his grace that we have had good parents, siblings, spouse, and children and family creating a fine surrounding and environment to grow up in.
It is by his grace that we are seeing another day even as we stand at the 63rd year of life.
It is by his grace that we were called to his path.
It is by his grace that we are still on the path after some 20 years.
It is by his grace that we have come this far on the path.
It is by his grace that I am able to write these words.
What can I give in return? The most compassionate tells us that he does not want anything. True what can we give him if it isn't his already? The pound of flesh is his. The breath is his. The Soul is his. Every offering we place before him is his in the first place. Tell me something that is mine to offer to him?
The only thing left for us to do now is to surrender to his Holy Feet and take on the task he gives us. Nothing else will balance the score or repay him for his kindness and compassion. To be his obedient servant and slave and to carry out all his dictates would be the right thing to do.
When I knew Tavayogi, he was already a Swamiji. I did not know much about what took place in Tavayogi's life before I came to him though Nadi reader T.Ramesh knows for Tavayogi used to get his Nadi readings read through him. Tavayogi was not one to share about his past life. Though he did preach about the Siddha Marga he hardly spoke about himself and his experiences. I knew only those years after I came to meet him in Malaysia in 2005 till his demise in 2018. Even then, as we were separated by the Indian Ocean, we could only write to each other initially, email, or talk to each other by phone to a certain extent. I got to know more about him each time he visited Malaysia and when I went over to India. So when Jnana Jothiamma came along I was pretty excited as she shared her journey with me through emails, telephone calls, and Skype. I got to know many secrets shared with her by Agathiyar and how Agathiyar began to shape his devotee from the USA. Though she was born in Kerala and schooled in Chennai, she followed her surgeon husband to the USA. We came to know each other after she read my earlier website and emailed me. A wonderful relationship between the two co-seekers took shape over the years till she pass away suddenly in 2017. Though the news of her demise caught us by surprise, I guess she knew it was coming just like my first guru Supramania Swami. While he had told me that his end will come when he was 76 his son later discovered his diary where he had written the exact date - 7.2.2007. Jnana Jothiamma wrote, "My Jenam's Journey nearing completion ... Shan... I have a lot of souls to thank... You have played a very massive role in my life.. and will continue to... till my end..."
I knew of her sufferings in later years as she was transformed slowly to attain a higher state. Indeed, Agathiyar has made it pretty easy for me in comparison to what she went through and what I assumed Tavayogi went through too from whatever he did reveal at the spur of the moment. Agathiyar yesterday told me what I am going through is nowhere close to what he went through. Jnana Jothiamma in sharing her physical agony told me that I would not be able to withstand it. She told me that at one time she had to pull her bed against the door of her bathroom since she was too weak to get up as at times she would vomit as many as 32 times. I shall recap some of these moments of transition that she shared.
After Agathiyar initiated her at Tavayogi's Kallar ashram in 2011 she briefly went back to the USA, but the pull was too strong that she returned the following year. Since then, she never returned. She undertook a pilgrimage and journey, traveling across India to spiritual destinations that were made known to her in so many mysterious ways.
Returning after a brief visit to my home Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM) in 2013 and again in 2014, Agathiyar commanded Jnana Jyothiamma to go into solitude, refrain from seeing people, and stop all forms of communication through all media. He provided for her secure accommodation through a housing developer in Chennai who was a gem of a person. She stopped coming on Skype but continued mailing me on her progress and transformation. While in isolation and with her health deteriorating further, Jnana Jyothiamma is visited by Siddhas.
On October 15, 2014, she writes to me that she read another Nadi reading and Agathiyar had told her to head to the USA, make a pit stop in Malaysia and return to Chennai once her solitary confinement was over. Her new mission and task later was to preach about the Siddhas, just as Tavayogi was doing. But somehow this did not materialize. She passed away some three years later. Agathiyar too hasn't shared this mystery with me as yet.
"Dad said I would have to leave back to my son after Thai month... he'll tell me the date and won't be back for a long time… till me 64 yrs... The only important factor is ... I need to be in isolation for some more time… both here and in the USA… then get back.... as a full-fledged Thuravi.....Sanyasin...
But for now, he had her imprisoned in the house that came by his grace only to be visited occasionally by a Siddha or their messengers bringing her good news and medicine.
"Asked me not to talk with anybody... complete Mounam... inside n outside... and not to post anything too... will elaborate on the reason at a later date. Will tell u a bit more after I recover at least a bit. I told you a couple of weeks back… that after this pusam... He has asked me to keep away totally... Therefore not to speak, post, or divulge anything to anyone... As he was speaking this I was constantly thinking about you and silently in my mind, I told him... I want to tell Shan, at least a bit... It was then, he suddenly said... "Shanmugam, who is in Malaysia…is my Mainthan. I am with him ..and in his place…and I perform all the miracles from there... He has my Blessings." I thanked Agathiyan silently in my mind and took this as an indication ...rather permission to share at least a bit with you…about me ..."
"Agathiyan went on to add, how he and his Guru Murugan, had arranged Bhogar to come over to my place and give me the medicine, Navabhashanam for consumption and told me that Bhogar will be coming again to hand over some more to me. He said that I don't have to go here and there, and what is required ... Agathiyan says...will be brought over to where I am. The pleasure of knowing that all these pains (physical) are going to cease and end one day..... and never going to come back... By pain, I meant..... the excruciating pain I experience … sometimes in my CNS… (central nervous system... hip upwards), and sometimes PNS (Peripheral Nervous System.... hip downwards). When the former activates itself, giving me torment, the latter subsides and vice versa. There is a constant burning inferno within. You won't believe it if I tell you, I feel I am running at a very high temperature. My dresses get warm. My bedsheets get warm... But actually … no fever at all... except very high temperature... like a burning brick kiln... Secondly, the bone marrow and the lubricants get evaporated, due to the excessive heat...And here I am…battling both the external cold and the internal heat... I couldn't move an inch today... I cried to dad. When the pain becomes very intense, I started to cry...
I recall that Lord Murugan too in treating me told me the same that the gel and lubricants are drying up within me due to the heat of the tapas and the subtle changes taking place. Both Agathiyar and Lord Murugan prescribed some traditional Siddha medicines.
When she recovered and felt better, she sends me the following mail,
Funny, how life had taken its course... For a very long time, I had been praying to daddy that I wanted to ascertain the following from him. I wanted to know what all I was seeing, hearing, and witnessing and the happenings are all real … and not just a figment of my imagination. Many things are happening, and I understand now fully well, that all I am doing physically also... I feel something/someone is doing …and not me...... Agathiyan told me that since Murugan's energy is inside me... "A pralayam is being created inside you and the intensity is too heavy for you to withstand, hence we have to give to you all these medicines."
Speaking on the Vedas,
"Dear Shan, I had been receiving some insights today... this is one. Right from early morning... something in me is on overdrive. I penned them down and sent them to Geetha thru Skype and you thru mail. All the teachings and the writings of all the Rishis ... are an offshoot of the Vedas... which was already existent in the Cosmic Spread/Circle... Vedas are not authored. They are intuited by the Rishis… and authored by generations later... Since the Rishis are highly Sattvic Entities, they got intuited and could tap into the Cosmos and receive them. Further, since there was only one Veda initially… and very laborious and humans could neither understand nor decipher them...Vyasa ... divided them into the existent four Vedas... Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharvana...... Since the Rishis were spread all over the world… they all received it and wrote it down in many languages according to their locale and environment..... Since the Rishis were born at different times and different Yugas, and in different places.. their words and teachings may vary according to the times... but the knowledge of the Vedas was always there ... Ever Existent... the Rishis composed the Sutras (brief aphorisms)... to clarify the teachings."
Speaking on Karma, she wrote,
"People should understand the wrong notion they are sailing in... like thinking just with one reading and the pariharams mentioned .. that Agathiyan is completely wiping off the Karma. Karma removal is a process... Agathiyan says... Only based on one Karmic merit… "
Shan, study how karma works. "In the Nadi, where Agathiyan says that sometimes he had to plead with Brahma to give some sanction to the afflicted soul... I understand it this way... Daddy may have to deepen his tapas and intuitively get sanction.... for the afflicted soul... at least to some extent... In this, dad tells that he cannot do anything to completely help him get rid of the karma. He says it is a process and only nivarnam can be given to help one to sustain oneself, to overcome the magnitude and intensity of the problem... Agathiyan will mention the word ...Karma Pariharam...if it is for total eradication. This is a good insight for us ..Shan..."
Indeed what we are given as remedies is a temporary relief from the pain of karma.
If I had extreme hunger pangs a couple of days ago, yesterday surprisingly I did not feel hungry the whole day. Upon waking up today I had nausea, my stomach was churning, and I felt dizzy. It felt better after I had vomited. But it was blissful, too.
Last night when Mahindren came over we spoke about the past two posts I'LL BE BACK and WE ARE BUT MERE TOOLS.
As the tattvas are continuously engaged with the world around us, we miss seeing the Atma that has gone into hiding behind the veil. This reminds me of our kids who hide behind the curtains and ask us to look for them. We see their tiny legs jutting out, yet we pretend to look for them elsewhere. They then giggle to catch our attention or move the curtain. This is fun, right. As in these peekaboo and hide-and-seek games, the Atma hides behind the curtain, waiting for us to come looking for it. As for the tattvas, the guru comes along to bring us an understanding of these tattvas and bring us to an awareness of the existence of the Atma. We are told to purify the tattvas by the heat of our tapas. With the aid of the Uyir or breath through Pranayama, we equally fan the flame and increase the intensity of the jothi within. Once the tattvas are purified, they shed on their own. The breath teams up now with the Atma. The Jeevatma within us merges with the Paramatma and settles in the source or Param.
As Mahin and I discussed the part where the Lord imparts knowledge of the tattvas and the apparent discrepancies in the number of tattvas to Sage Ribhu, we figured that man as a whole is a composite of 96 as he is gross in nature, the Munis as they are subtler in nature know it to be 36 and "those that know Brahman know these to be 24", Agathiyar came and verified and endorsed our understanding.
He says that what we are in search of has no form when I tell him that though the divine is given forms and names we understood it to be one or Yegan. That is when he goes into explaining the tattvas. He says the One doesn't have tattvas too. Those who take birth as humans come with 96 tattvas. The one among man who takes birth as a Gnani (where he arises to the state of a Gnani) transforms/drops and what remains are 36. Then when one is born as a Brahman (reaches this state) the 36 transforms/drops to that of 24. When he takes the form of the Andam it is only 5 the Pancha Maha Bhutam or namely earth, water, fire/energy, air/wind, and sky/space. Eventually, he will even shed this 5. He reminded us that he had asked us earlier if we were in the Prapanjam or if the Prapanjam was in us.
நீ தேடி செல்லும் ஒன்றுக்கு வடிவம் இருப்பதில்லை, நாமம் இருப்பதில்லை, தத்துவங்கள் இருப்பதில்லை. மனிதனாகப் பிறந்தவனுக்கு தத்துவங்கள் 96. அவனே ஞானியாகப் பிறகும்பொழுது அவனுக்கு 96 36ராக மாறுது. அதிலே ப்ராஹ்மணாய் பிறகும்பொழுது 24ளாக மாற்றப்படுகிறது. அதுவே அண்டமாய் உருவெடுக்கும்பொழுது 5தாக மாறுகிறது, நீர், நிலம், நெருப்பு, ஆகாயம், காற்று. அதுவே பின்னர் தத்துவமே இல்லாமல் போகும். இவையே அன்று நான் அண்டத்துக்குள் நீ இருக்கிறாயா அல்லது உன்னுள் அண்டம் இருக்கிறதா என்று வினாவை வைத்தேன்.
Agathiyar expresses his wish that each of us should see what he sees. He says the tattvas move us. Call it as atoms if you want. That too is based on tattvas. நான் கண்ட திருக்கோலம் யாவரும் காண வேண்டும். மனிதனின் ஒவ்வொரு செயளிலும் தத்துவம் தான் அவனை நகர்த்துகிறது. அதை நீங்கள் அணுவென்று அழைக்கலாம். அந்த அணுவும் தத்துவதே ஒட்டியுள்ளது.
Moving on I asked him since the chakras are activated if I should engage in any further practice. He says there is nothing I need to do. The chakras shall do what needs to be done. Just watch and experience it. ஒன்றுமில்லை. எழும்பிய சக்கரங்கள் தான் இருந்து தன் காரியங்களைச் செய்யும். அவையை அனுபவித்து வா. This I saw happen again this morning, as I had mentioned above.
I am glad my wife and children are beside me in these moments to assist, though Agathiyar has told them only to watch and come to my aid if I call out. I understand now what he means when he tells me that in comparison to what he went through, my journey was pretty easy. நான் கண்டதை விட நீங்கள் கண்டு வருவது மிகவும் சுலபமானது. Tavayogi too had asked me how was it that I had come to the path so easily when he had to rough it out.
Agathiyar pointed out that joy is impermanent, for we shall reach another moment of joy and another and another as we journey. எது மகிழ்ச்சி என்று நீ கூறுகிறாய்? நிலையற்றதே மகிழ்ச்சி.
Again he asked that we go within. மௌனத்தில் ஆழ்ந்து போ. When I tell him it is so difficult to go within, he replies that that shall be my effort and practice hence for now. அதுவே உமக்குப் பயற்சி. He says further that by going within we shall merge in the Prapanjam. ஆழ்ந்து போவது நீங்கள் ப்ரபஞ்சத்தோடும் இணைவதற்கு.
Telling him my wish that I should understand all things read, seen, heard, listened to, etc. he tells me that my experience shall be my teacher and become a bank of knowledge. அனுபவமே உனக்கு அறிவு.
Now I understand why Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal kept asking if we had read Tavayogi's book "Andamum Pindamum" and told us to reread the chapter on tattvas till we understand it. The tattvas hide the Atma from us. As it is continuously engaged with the world around us we miss seeing the Atma that has been kept in cold storage. The guru comes along to bring us an understanding of these tattvas and bring us to an awareness of the existence of the Atma.
The tattvas when they come into play reign and sen the Atma into exile. It needs the guru to release the Atma from the dungeon.
Tavayogi wrote, "The world emerged with the Pancha Maha Bhutam or 5 atoms coming together. Each atom carried 96 Tattvas. These Tattvas function in our bodies too."
இவ்வுலகம் ஐம் பெரும் பூத அணுக்களால் ஆனது. இந்த ஐம்பூத அணுக்களில் உள்ள ஒவ்வொரு அணுவிலும் 96 தத்துவங்கள் அமைந்துள்ளன. இந்த தத்துவங்களே மனித சரீரத்தில் செயல்படுகின்றன.
The Siddhas categorized the human body into 96 tattvas that have come to be known as the Siddha Anatomy. From the first atom, the Paramanu, the Pancha Maha Bhutam came forth, writes Tavayogi. The world emerged with these 5 atoms coming together. Each atom carried 96 Tattvas. These Tattvas function in our bodies too. 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 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. 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.
In the Varaha Upanishad, the Lord imparts his knowledge to Sage Ribhu. (Source: K. Narayanasvami Aiyar, at http://www.advaita.it/library/varaha.htm), "Some disputants hold that there are twenty-four Tattvas (principles) and some thirty-six, whilst others maintain that there are ninety-six. I shall relate them in their order. Listen with an attentive mind."
The organs of sense; The organs of action; Manas, Buddhi, Chitta, and Ahankara; thus those that know Brahman know these to be the twenty-four Tattvas.
The quintuplicate elements; The bodies; the states of consciousness; The Munis know the total collection of Tattvas to be thirty-six (coupled with Jiva)
Add to them the following: The six changes; the six infirmities; the six sheaths; the six kinds of foes; the three aspects of the Jiva; the three Gunas (qualities); the three Karmas; the five actions (of the organs of action); thought, certainty, egoism, compassion, memory (functions of Manas, etc.,), complacency, sympathy, and indifference; Dik (the quarters), Vayu, Sun, Varuna, Ashvini Devas, Agni, Indra, Upendra, and Mrityu (death); and then the moon, the four-faced Brahma, Rudra, Kshetrajna, and Ishvara - we have 96 in numbers.
It is interesting to note that the tattvas identified varies with the states of the beings as in "those that know Brahman" and "The Munis."
We now understand what Ramalinga Adigal meant when he had climbed the spiritual ladder and standing at the height of his of his accomplishment he brings us the various stages of spiritual experiences, stopping at the 16th rung of the ladder, telling us that there are still higher stages that he hesitates to express.
Various states of the soul.
The 16 stages and above of spiritual experiences.
Experiences (Nilai).
Stages.
Paths.
Human beings leading a mundane life without even a thought of its transient nature.
1. Jeeva Sakiram.
Normal wakefulness.
1st stage.
2. Jeeva Sorpanam.
Normal dreaming.
2nd stage.
3. Jeeva Suluthi.
Normal ignorance.
3rd stage.
Spiritualist aware of momentary nature of life; conscious of the world and external objects; enjoys gross things.
4. Sutha Sakiram.
Perfect wakefulness.
1st state of the soul.
1st stage.
Sariyai.
Seeking to see the Lord and feels inseparable; untiring search for God; enjoys subtle things.
5. Sutha Sorpanam.
Perfect dream.
2nd state of the soul.
2nd stage.
Kriyai.
Only God; neither dreams nor desires; soul temporarily one with Brahman enjoys bliss.
6. Sudha Suluthi.
Perfect ignorance or sound sleep or dreamless state.
3rd state of the soul.
3rd stage.
Yogam.
Lust & veil covering the soul for generations are shed one after the other; soul cleanse by Arutperunjhoti; spontaneous impulse of love for God; absolute union with Brahman.
7. Sudha Turiyam.
Perfect experience.
Supra-mental awareness.
4th stage of the soul.
Supreme grace.
Arul Oliyal.
4th stage.
Shiva Jnana Nilai.
8. Para Sakiram.
Higher wakefulness.
Enjoys grace of Lord and ecstasy.
9. Para Sorpanam.
Higher dream.
Supra mental dream.
Shackles removed by Arutperunjhoti; heavenly experiences. Above this stage, God is un-manifested.
10. Para Suluthi.
Higher ignorance.
Supra mental unknowing.
1st stage.
1st divine path.
Sithantham.
Sutha Sithantham.
Tasting God; the glory of Arutperunjhoti; self-realization on the soul as an atom brilliant as the sun; soul charged with divine grace; aspirant realizes the greatness of God's grace and his smallness; self-realization or Atma Tarisanam.
11. Para Turiyam.
Atma Tarisanam.
Supra-mental perfection.
Ananda Nilai.
2nd stage.
2nd divine path.
Vethantham.
Sutha Vethantham.
Perceive God in the form of light; the soul is saturated with compassion & love; experience of divine life (Uyir Anubhavam); attains purified body or golden body (Sutha Degam); the extent of achievement is dependent on the grace of Arutperunjhoti; sees divinity in all creatures; sees God in the form the aspirant is ready to receive; enjoys supreme grace (Arul Anubhavam); higher stages are heavenly stages and beyond human perception where the mind fails to conceive and all senses cease to function; Uyir Anubavam in Sudha Degam; a transformation to the pure body; love incarnate; the universality of love in all fellow beings; oneness in life; sees the divine in all life forms; sees smallness of one and greatness of God; spontaneous flow of God in him.
12. Guru Sakiram or Shiva Sakiram.
3rd stage.
3rd divine path.
Sutha Nathantham.
Descent of divinity in the individual.
13. Guru Sorpanam or Shiva Sorpanam.
Supreme dream.
4th stage.
4th divine path.
Sutha Kalantham.
Supreme grace flows and prepares the aspirant for the next stage.
14. Guru Suluthi or Shiva Suzhuthi.
Supreme tranquility.
5th stage.
5th divine path.
Sutha Bothantham.
The body transforms into Pranava Deham or body of grace; merges with Arutperunjhoti; deathlessness or conquest of death.
Ramalinga Adigal mentions Muthuthandavar & Tathuvarayar as had attained this state.
15. Guru Turiyam or ShivaTuriyam.
Anandha Nilai.
Periya Shiva Anubhavam.
6th stage.
6th divine path.
Samarasa Sutha Sanmaarga.
There are still higher stages that Ramalinga Adigal hesitates to express.
16. Sudha Shiva Sakiram.
Absolute supreme consciousness.
Sudha Shiva Sorpanam.
Sudha Shiva Suluthi.
Sudha Shiva Turiyam.
Sudha Shiva Turiyateetam.
(Source: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF RAMALINGA SWAMI by Dr C Srinivasan, published by Ilakkia Nilayam, Tiruchi, 1968 (Srinivasan).
There is no end to this journey. It just keeps going. There is more and more to discover. There is more and more to experience. I guess we keep coming back to upgrade the version or add on to our earlier comprehension and understanding, knowledge, and discoveries. We keep coming back for new discoveries and experiences. I would have possibly taken thousands of birth. Why did I come back again and now? To experience this era and period in time. I shall come back again in many years time to experience that era and the times. I shall be back to perfect my understanding or rather enhance and enrich it. I guess the world will go one and we shall revisit it many more times. As the catchphrase associated with Arnold Schwarzenegger and made famous in the movie "The Terminator" goes and as Ramalinga Adigal said before his departure, I too shall be back.
In my short tenure as a seeker, aspirant, follower, devotee, and disciple, I have seen many appear at establishments related to the Siddhas. Some follow others. Some come in search of something that most often they cannot pinpoint. Some are pointed to these places by others promising them an overnight turnabout in their lives. For instance when I sat with Tavayogi and others, many come up to him with their personal problems and sought solutions. Tavayogi would listen through and finally say a word. Being a man of few words, he would tell them that their problems, misery, and troubles are due to Vinai or past karma. If they were interested to know more only then would he tell them to worship the Siddhas for the Siddhas are known to help us with our baggage of karma. They have documented individuals' past lives and provided remedies in the Nadi. They shall make it known to them. Once that is out of the way sadly very few stay back or want to know about these amazing Siddhas who knew the past, present, and future, much less attempt to become one. Instead, they go back to their old ways adding on fresh and new karma.
Some wanted their lives turned around magically. Some come for Kundalini or Siddhis. The masters can definitely give them what they want. But they choose not to. They want us to tread the path they walked and create the magic ourselves. Agathiyar often tells me that whatever he shares is whatever they had carried out and experienced. For those few who come to know about the Siddhas, the yearning grows in them to follow their path. To them, they show light.
If Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal initially told us to become aware of the breath and follow it for it shall lead to the state of Dhyanam, later they told us to use the breath as a tool and to fan the flame in us to burn bigger.
உமது பிரணவத்தை கொண்டு செல்லு. நீயாய் சுவாசித்த பிராணவ வாயு இனி உன்னைக் கேட்காமல் உன்னுள் ஊடுருவும். எப்பொதுதெல்லாம் அது ஊடுருவதை நீ உணறுகிறாயோ இருக்கும் இடம் அறிந்து அதனுள் பயணம் செய். கலந்து போ. அதனோடு நீ கலக்கும் தருணமே தியானம்.
ஜோதி அதனைச் சுடர்விட செய்யுங்கள், பிரணவத்தை கொண்டு ஜோதியை சுடர் விடச்செய். நாடி சுத்தி செய்து பிரணவத்தை உயர்த்தவும். இப்போது இரு நாசியில் செல்லவில்லை. இரு நாசியில் செல்லும் கால் பிரணவம் இடைகலை பிங்கலையில் சீராகச் செல்லும் தருணம் சுத்த பரிபூரணத்தில் நீ ஆழ்ந்து விடுவாய். தியானம் என்பது உனது பரிபூரணம் ஆகும்.
As we listened and followed, Agathiyar told us to connect and bring the Prapanjam within. He said Ramalinga Adigal will help us bring the Prapanjam within. Seeing our progress, Agathiyar told us to become aware of the vibration that rises within and follow it. Soon he asked to dwell in the magnetic waves that arose.
பிரபஞ்சத்தை உள்ளுக்குள் செலுத்துங்கள். பிரபஞ்சம் உங்களுக்குக் கட்டுப் படும். துணை வரும். பிரபஞ்சத்தோடு இணையும்பொழுது உங்களில் ஏற்படும் அதிர்வுகள் அணுவாய் மாறிப் பிரபஞ்சத்தைத் தூய்மை செய்யும். வள்ளல் பிரபஞ்சத்தைத் தருவித்தார்.
Where do all these practices bring us to? Why do they constantly come by to remind us to go within? TR Thulasiram in his "Arutpaavil Varna Tiraigalum Manigalum" published by Sakti Stores, Pondicheri brings us there, quoting Ramalinga Adigal, Sri Aurobindo, and Mother.
"உள்ளே ஒருவன் உள் நோக்கிச் சென்றால் அதன் ஆழத்தில் தன் சொந்த உண்மையான இருப்பு நிலையை (ஆன்மாவை) தரிசிக்கலாம், அறிந்து அதில் நிலைபெறலாம். ஒருவன் உணர்வினால் உள்முகமாகச் சென்றாலும், மேல் நோக்கி ஏறிச் சென்றாலும், ஒவ்வொரு கட்டத்திலும் அஞ்ஞான திரைகலை சந்திப்பான்."
When one goes within, he shall have the darshan of his Atma or soul and know it and rests in it. In following either the vibration and going deep within or following the breath and ascending, he shall come across veils of ignorance at every stage.
If Agathiyar tells us that ஆன்மாவாகியது 5 கூறு தத்துவங்களைக் கொண்டது. ஆன்மா உடலையும் உயிரையும் தனது கட்டுப்பாட்டுக்குள் வைத்துக் கொள்ளும் ஒரு சூச்சமம். இந்தச் சூச்சமத்தை பிறந்த குழந்தைகள் 1 முதல் 5 வராகை வரையிலும் உடன் இருந்து மறையும். மறைத்தலின் காரணம் இன்னதென்று இப்போது உனக்குச் சொல்ல இயலாது,
TR Thulasiram gives us a clue. The vibration entering us or rising up (in Yoga) brings us to the state of Siddhi or accomplishment or Paripuranam or completeness. As we follow the vibration a veil of tattvas keeps coming up blocking our view of the other tattvas from us. The body veils the Pranan. The Pranan veils the Manam. The Manam in turn veils the Uyir. The Atma is of the nature of God. It stays hidden as the Paramatma in the Sahasrara and as the Jeevatma in Ajna. It keeps to itself and keeps one in ignorance. The divine presence, soul's existence, and the consciousness of the soul though veiled in the darkness of ignorance, ever prevails and pervades. This is the black veil that both Ramalinga Adigal and Sri Aurobindo speak about. We need to cross, pierce and shred these veils. He says that by drawing the veils aside and entering one can meet his God in the temple within him.
"நம் உணர்வு உள்முகமாகப் புகுவதும், மேல் வெளிக்கு ஏறி அடைவதும் சித்தி ஆகும். நம் உணர்வு உள்முகமாகப் புகும் கிரமத்தில் ஒரு திரையின் தத்துவம் அதற்கும் உள்ளே இருக்கும் இன்னொரு தத்துவத்தை மறைக்கும். உடல் (சிவப்புத் திரை), பிராணனையும் (பச்சை திரை), பிராணன் மனதையும் (நீல திரை), மனது ஆருயிரையும் மறைக்கும். அவற்றைக் கடக்க வேண்டும். அல்லது ஊடுருவிப் பின்பு நீக்கவும் வேண்டும். திரைகளாகிய வர்ணங்கள் படி படியாக நீக்கி அல்லது ஊடுருவி உள்ளே இருக்கும் ஆண்டவனை (மேய்ப்பதியை, ஆன்மாவை) தரிசிக்கும் கோவில் மனிதனிடம் உள்ளது. பேர் ஆண்டவனின் அம்சமே ஆத்மா. இந்த ஆன்மா தலையின் உச்சியில் சகஸ்ராரத்தில் பரமாத்மாவாகவும் புருவ மத்தியின் ஆழத்தில் ஜீவாத்மாவாகவும் மறைவாகப் பின்னால் நின்று அஞ்ஞானத்தில் வழிகாட்டி நடத்தி வளர்த்துத் தானும் தனித்த ஆன்மா உருவாக வளர்ந்து செயல்பட்டு கொண்டு இருக்கும். ஆண்டவனின் சாநித்தியமும், ஆன்மாவின் இருப்பும், உணர்வும் முழு ஜட இருளிலும் கூட நிலைபெற்று நிலைத்தும் ஆனால் அதே சமயம் மறைபட்டும் உள்ளன. இதுவே கருப்பு திரை ஆகும்."
Agathiyar tells us that though we are kept in ignorance, that is a part of the play of the divine or divine lila, and one of its attributes is to veil, besides the other four that of creation, sustenance, destroying, and showering its grace, the Atma comes to the fore depending on our actions and direction. Steeped in ignorance the guru's touch is needed to bring an awareness of the presence of the Atma in us. It steps out of its ignorance and takes the hand of the guru. As the awareness of the Atma grows in us, and it gains soul power or Atma Balam the resulting vibration reaches the state that Agathiyar is in.
ஆனபோதிலும் ஆன்ம ஒருவரின் செயலைப் பொறுத்தே மீண்டும் அவனை வந்து சேரும். ஆன்மா உன்னோடு இருந்து உன்னை ஒரு பாதைக்கு இழுத்து செல்லும். அப்போது நீ அதனை உணர்ந்தாள், உன்னில் அதிர்வாய் தோன்றி மறையும். அந்த அதிர்வினை நீ உனக்குள் நீடிக்கப் பழகினால் உன்னால் ஆன்மா என்னும் உனது அதிர்வுகளில் ஊடுருவி என்னுள் (இறை / அகத்தியன்) வந்து சேர ஒரு வழி.
TR Thulasiram says once we reach the white veil that veils the Atma and enter we come face to face with our Atma. That is Atma Darisanam. Passing through these six veils he comes to meet his Atma. But this is only the start. Before we realize it another veil comes up as an obstacle. This is the seventh veil. It is a mix of all colors. After we traverse the sixth and arrive at the seventh the internal and external states are revealed. We need to purify and change these tattvas to shine. After purifying and transforming them the Uyir reaches the abode of the Atma that is Agni Peedham, enters, and merges with the Atma.
"ஆன்மாவை மறைக்கின்ற ஆறாவதாகிய வெள்ளை திரை அது கடந்தால் ஆன்மாவைத் தரிசிக்கலாம். ஆறு திரைகளைக் கடந்து அவனுடைய உயிர் தன் சொந்த ஆத்மாவை தரிசனம் செய்கிறது. இது ஆரம்ப படித்தான். அதற்குள் ஒரு திரை வந்து தடை செய்து மறைகிறது. இதுவே ஏழாவதுவாகிய கலப்பு திரை. ஆறு திரைகள் கடந்து ஆன்மாவைத் தரிசித்து விட்டால் உள் நிலைகளும் புற நிலைகளும் ரகசியமாகத் திறந்து கொள்ளும். இதனைத் தூய்மை படுத்தி இணைத்து ஒளிமயமான தத்துவங்களாக மாற்றி அமைக்க வேண்டும். தூய்மை படுத்தி உருமாற்றம் செய்துவித்தால் ஆருயிர் தன் ஆன்மாவின் இருப்பிடமாகிய அக்கினி பீடத்தை அடைந்து அதில் நுழைந்து பின் ஆன்மாவுடன் ஒன்றாகி அதிலேயே நிலைத்து விடும்."
Agathiyar says that, once the body separates back into the respective tattvas, the Uyir or breath merges in the Atma and reaches Agathiyar as the Jothi. Hence the reason we are asked to use our breath to fan the Atma or Jothi within.
உடல் என்பது பஞ்ச பூதங்களில் உரு பெற்று மீண்டும் பஞ்ச பூதங்களிடம் சென்று விட்டால் உயிராகியது ஆன்மா வோடு கலந்து ஜோதிநிலையில் எம்மை வந்து அடையும்.
Thulasiram continues. Reaching soul realization the Gnanaperuvili shows itself. Ramalinga Adigal too receives Atma Kaatchi or soul realization or Atma Darisanam. This too dissolves before he steps into the Gnanaperuveli. Hence in purifying the states of the tattvas and states of vibrations and step by step transforming its gross state to that of light and divine vibration a transformation takes place. Only then can we cross this state and move into the Gnanaperuveli. This is true evolution.
"ஆன்ம அனுபவம் நிலையாக ஏற்பட்டதும் அதில் ஞானப்பெருவெளியின் காட்சி ஏற்படும். வள்ளலாரும் ஞானப்பெருவெளியின் காட்சியை முதலில் ஆன்மக்காட்சியாகப் பெறுகிறார். இக்காட்சியும் மறைகிறது. பின்பு அவ்வெலிக்கு நேரடியாக ஏறி அடைந்து சித்தி பெறுகிறார். ஆகவே எல்லா தத்துவங்களையும் உணர்வு நிலைகளையும் தூய்மை படுத்தியும் இணைத்து ஒழுங்கு படுத்தியும் அவற்றில் படிப்படியாக ஒளியும் தெய்வீக உணர்வும் நிரம்பும்படி உருமாற்றம் செய்ய வேண்டும். அப்போதுதான் இத்திரை கடந்து ஞானப் பெருவெளி முடிவாக ஏறமுடியும். இதுவே முறையான கிரமமான பரிணாமம் ஆகும்."
Ramalinga Adigal sings of this transformation in his "Aani Pon Ambalam" song. A Soruba state under the reign of the Atma together with the reign of Satya Meipati arises. When the veils in each state of vibration is removed by his Grace, arriving at its true Soruba state, the Atma and Satya Meipati (God) reign. The Atma shall forever dwell in God. The Atma that is now considered has having attained the state of Sithpatham merges with Paramatma who is in the state of Tatpatham in the Sahasrara.
"ஆணிப் பொன்னம்பலத்தே பாட்டில் இத்தகைய ஏறு இறங்கு உணர்வு நிலைகளை வர்ணமணிகளால் வள்ளலார் குறிப்பிடுகிறார். அச்சொரூப நிலைகளுடன் கூடி ஆன்ம அரசும் சத்திய ஞான மெய்ப்பதி அரசும் வெளிப்பட விளங்கச் செய்யும். அந்தந்த உணர்வு நிலைகளில் மறைப்புகள் எல்லாம் நீங்கியதும் தத்துவங்கள் அருளால் தெளிவு பெற்று அதனதன் உண்மை சொரூப நிலைகளுடன் கூடி ஆன்ம அரசும் சத்திய ஞான மெய்ப்பதி அரசும் வெளிப்பட விளங்கச் செய்யும். ஆண்டவனை எப்பொழுதும் ஆன்மாவில் அனுபவிக்கும் என்று ஸ்ரீ அரவிந்தர் கூறுவார். பின்பு சித்பதமான ஆன்மாமேல் ஏறிச் சஹஸ்ராரத்தில் தத்பதமான பரமாத்ம நிலை உடன் கூடும். சிற்பதமும் தற்பதமும் சேர்ந்த நிலையில் சத்திய ஞானப் பெருவெளி அனுபவத்தை அடையும்."
Thulasiram quotes Sri Aurobindo, "This experience of the force that comes from above or elsewhere to act through one and liberate comes like a flash for a moment then it withdraws. Only when you are quite ready for the transformation that it comes to stay."
TR Thulasiram continues to share Sri Aurobindo's work "Savithri" where he narrates the story of King Asvapathi. The king gropes in the darkness that envelops him and sees his Atma losing the battle. He eventually regains his "lost kingdom" through Yoga which teaches him endurance and his Atma reigns again.
"ஸ்ரீ அரவிந்தர் "சாவித்ரி" என்னும் காவியத்தில், அரசரும் யோகியுமான அஸ்வபதி அவ்விருளில் இறங்கி சகிக்க முடியாத மரண வேதனை அனுபவங்களைப் பெற்று, ஆன்மாவின் அரசு இழந்ததாக வர்ணிக்கிறார். அவற்றை யோக பலத்தால் சகித்த பின் ஆன்ம அரசு திரும்பவும் பெறுகிறார்."
Here we are taught not to wish for an obstacle to be cleared for another shall soon fall in our path, but rather to give us the strength Yoga Balam and Atma Balam or soul power to face it. Tavayogi too has said the same. I guess this is what Ramalinga Adigal told me when he asked me to accept the din and noise made by my neighbors for he says that with acceptance, endurance, and patience Gnanam would dawn.
Many of what I write might be repeated. But that is how we try to understand the mighty works of the saints. When Ramalinga Adigal asked me if I had read Tavayogi's book "Andamum Pindamum" that Agathiyar had asked me to much earlier, I replied that I did but added that I could not understand the subject on Tattvas which Agathiyar told me to brush up on. Ramalinga Adigal asked me to read again. If still I fail to understand he shall come and clarify.
In http://savitri.in/books/chandra-prakash-khetan/a-focused-journey-through-sri-aurobindos-savitri, we hear the same advice given by Mother when she asked "Have you understood all that you have read?" Mother says,
"It does not matter if you do not understand it — Savitri, read it always. You will see that every time you read it, something new will be revealed to you. Each time you will get a new glimpse, each time a new experience; things that were not there, things you did not understand arise and suddenly become clear. Always an unexpected vision comes up through the words and lines. Every time you try to read and understand, you will see that something is added, something which was hidden behind is revealed clearly and vividly. I tell you the very verses you have read once before, will appear to you in a different light each time you re-read them. This is what happens invariably. Always your experience is enriched, it is a revelation at each step. But you must not read it as you read other books or newspapers. You must read with an empty head, a blank and vacant mind, without there being any other thought; you must concentrate much, remain empty, calm, and open; then the words, rhythms, and vibrations will penetrate directly to this white page, will put their stamp upon the brain, will explain themselves without your making any effort. For him who wishes to follow this path, it is a concrete help as though the Lord himself were taking you by the hand and leading you to the destined goal. And then, every question, however personal it may be, has its answer here, every difficulty finds its solution herein; indeed there is everything that is necessary for doing the Yoga."
Indeed that is what happens each time I look through and recollect the messages of the saints. It is not dead but alive and relevant for every era. Their messages are alive and vibrant with energy. It brings on joy, happiness, and bliss.
And Mother speaks of Sri Aurobindo and how he came to write "Savitri."
"And the day He actually began it, He told me: I have launched myself in a rudderless boat upon the vastness of the Infinite. And once having started, He wrote page after page without intermission, as though it were a thing already complete up there and He had only to transcribe it in ink down here on these pages. In truth, the entire form of Savitri has descended “en masse” from the highest region and Sri Aurobindo with His genius only arranged the lines — in a superb and magnificent style. Sometimes entire lines were revealed and He has left them intact; He worked hard, untiringly, so that the inspiration could come from the highest possible summit. And what a work He has created! All this is His own experience, and what is most surprising is that it is my own experience also."
Whatever is written in this blog was not thought of or composed sometime back but is written in real-time with the subject or message coming in as I pen these words. I too start to comprehend and understand anew each time I write a post. I am equally amazed at whatever is taking place. But one thing is sure and we all agree it is all the work of the divine and we are mere tools.
I had an extreme hunger come over me this morning. It reminded me of King Kuberan's hunger in times of famine in his land. In a revelation, during his meditation, to Dr. VN Jayapalan, Agathiyar in disclosing the origin of his temple at Agasthiyampalli, continues. Kuberan finally turned up at the door of an old man who had earlier come by his palace to feed him. But the king had shooed him away, poking fun at his diseased body. When Kuberan too had exhausted his stock of food grains and was having tremendous hunger pangs that no amount of food could satisfy, he turned towards the stranger's cottage on the outskirts of his kingdom, something that the stranger had predicted would happen. The stranger turned out to be worshiping Agathiyar.
For a man who hardly ate Ramalinga Adigal started the Satya Dharma Salai at Vadalur to feed the hungry. Sri Jeganatha Swamigal is said to have fed the hungry at his cottage in Tapah. In present times Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar who has seen intense fasting and hunger feeds the poor and the hungry in the vicinity of his mission Ongarakudil in Turaiyur. Tavayogi and Mataji carried out regular feeding at their Ashram. Agathiyar too is said to love to cook but hardly ate too. He would serve the hungry instead. He explains that he was feeding the elements. Neem Karoli Baba told Ram Dass "Serve people." when he asked him "How do you raise kundalini?"
Food is essential in providing energy. Similarly, prana is essential to keep us alive. Dr. David Frawley writes in https://yogainternational.com/article/view/understanding-prana about the very well-known Vedic story, found in the Upanishads on prana.
"The five main faculties of our nature - the mind, breath (prana), speech, hearing, and sight - were arguing about which was the most important. To resolve the dispute they decided that each would leave the body, in turn, to see whose absence was missed most. First speech left, yet the body continued to flourish though it was mute. Next, the eye departed, yet the body flourished though blind. Then the ear left, yet the body thrived though deaf. Finally, the mind left, yet still, the body lived on, though it was now unconscious. But the moment the prana started to leave, the body began to die. The other faculties were rapidly losing their life force, so they all rushed to prana, admitted its supremacy, and begged it to stay."
This is the reason Agathiyar says the Prana is Uyir. It sustains all living things. The Siddhas ask us to take notice and later take hold of our breath. Eventually, the breath shall take us along on an internal journey of splendor and bliss.
David Frawley continues, "Prana is not only the basic life force, it is the original creative power. It is the master form of all energy working at every level of our being. Indeed the entire universe is a manifestation of prana. Even kundalini shakti, the serpent power or inner energy which transforms our consciousness, develops from awakened prana."
"On a cosmic level, there are two aspects of prana. The first is unmanifest, the energy of pure consciousness, which transcends all creation. The second, or manifest prana, is the force of creation itself."
I became aware of this force only when I undertook the Pranayama exercises that Tavayogi showed us in 2007. In Nadi Sudhi (Nadi Shodhana or alternate nostril breathing), we began to manage the flow of the breath ensuring that it flows in a particular nostril at the start of each day of the week. These exercises brought an immense amount of Prana that otherwise, we take for granted and hardly notice. My body was on the verge of exploding just as a balloon explodes when it expands beyond its limitation to hold air. It was blissful. Many years later I did not need to carry out these exercises as the Prana automatically filled me up. Later I could absorb this Prana from the food I took, from touch, through watching and hearing too. It was so blissful to become packed with energy. During these moments I wished that only I could share this bliss with others.
Soon Pranayama became effortless. The prana that traversed through the body now had to be channeled into the Sushumna. Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal came and gave us further practices for this purpose. After many years only recently did the Prana instead of traveling in the Ida and Pingala, switching every two hours, began to travel in the Sushumna. The result - it touched the chakras and awakened them as it traveled on.
Just as what I believed to be Hanuman came as a stranger priest who we picked up at Uttamar temple in Trichy had us move as swift as the wind and carry out my remedies and prayers at the numerous sannadhis or abodes of the deities at Tiruvanaikaval Temple the Prana swiftly leads us within and brings us to worship the deities at the numerous chakras within.
As David Frawley says that "Without prana, the physical body is no more than a lump of clay. Prana sculpts this gelatinous mass into various limbs and organs by creating various subtle nerve channels, or nadis, through which it can operate and energize gross matter, shaping it into various tissues and organs", Agathiyar too in defining Udal, Uyir and Atma to us 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. The breath that is Uyir takes the body as its vehicle to move and execute its actions. It primarily drives our body moving the limbs that are otherwise motionless.
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. The Pranavayu is the primary cause of the conception of an embryo and a fetus. The Pranavayu that flows in with the elements from both the parents move to take a shape that has a potential to become life. Life is hence given to the embryo. Air is breathed into the Pindam.
As Manickavasagar sings that we had taken many forms to be born as a human finally, it is only in human birth that we can correct our past mistakes by living carrying out remedies, doing puja, charity, and service. In all other births, we have to live out our karma as there is no means for salvation. Hence the reason the saints acknowledge that human birth is indeed rare. Agathiyar too says the same.
மனித பிறவி என்பது அபூர்வமானது. இப்பிறவியில் மனிதானாய் பிறந்தவன் மற்றொரு பிறவியில் மனிதனாய் பிறப்பான் என்பது ஊர்ஜிதமல்ல. கோடான கோடி பிறவியில் நீங்கள் செய்த கர்மவினை மனிதபிறவி எடுக்கும்போது மட்டுமே கழிக்க முடியும். அது கிடைத்தது உங்களின் மனித வாழ்க்கையை வாழ்வதற்கு அல்ல. ஆன்ம விடுதலை நோக்கிச் செல்லுங்கள். எடுத்தபோதே அதனை நிறைவேற்றிக் கொள்ளுங்கள்.
