Friday 31 October 2014

THE REAL MASTER

Sri Raghavan  wrote on fb today.
The real Master is not a Light Bearer,
Who walks ahead of you with the light,
Showing you the various mystical sounds & sights,
For you to enchantingly experience his spiritual might,
Most of the new age ones do exactly this,
They hold a source of light in front of you,
So you can see the world through their light,
But the devout, devoutly fail to realize this,
That darkness vanishes only for a while,
And when the Master or his light, is not in sight,
They'll once again become a victim of the night,
Tell me, how long can you dispel YOUR darkness,
With someone else's light,
The real Master is not a Torch Bearer,
But He is the one who sets you ablaze with his flame,
Making you too, the brave bearer of Light,
Setting you independent and free,
So you don't depend on Him or anyone else,
To experience YOUR divine light...

Tuesday 28 October 2014

A TRUE GNANI



A true Gnani will groom another man to a state similar or at par with him. A Gnani shall seek out potential candidates among the masses hoping to spot one man whom they could groom and mold into an equally creditable Gnani. Only a Gnani can identify another potential Gnani. Seeing his student's potential to become a Gnani, the master works on him and brings the yogi out of him. Saints, Mahans, Yogis and Siddhas have been working untiringly hoping that at least one individual among the masses might turn out to be a right candidate. He would groom his disciple into another Gnani and let him off to accomplish his mission. He would not have his disciples stand in front of him with hands folded, and waiting to serve on him, and be of service to him, forever. 

Guhai Namasivayar of Thiruvannamalai was one such Gnani who groomed his disciple Guru Namashivayar and ‘chased’ him away to Chidambaram. Supramania Swami told me a story among the many other wonderful stories during my very first meeting with him at his village home at Nacha Ananthal in Thiruvannamalai. Once the senior Namashivayar had vomited. He called for his disciple Guru Namshivayar and instructed him to dispose the vomit. The master laid a condition. His disciple was to throw it away in a place out of bounds of people and where they might not accidentally trample on the vomit. Guru Namashivayar left to dispose the vomit. Later the master asked him what he did with the vomit. The young disciple replied that he had consumed the vomit! 

Once as the junior Namashivayar was fanning his master in the late afternoon, suddenly he started to brush his side and flap his hands. His master inquired as to what he was doing. Guru Namashivayar replied that he saw the curtain at the inner chamber of Chidambaram burn and was putting the fire out!

Realizing the potential of his student, the master decided to sent him away to Chidambaram. Guru Namashivayar, wanting to stay forever with his master, protested aloud. But Guhai Namashivayar insisted that he go. Failing to convince his master, the junior Namashivayar finally gave in but not without stipulating a condition. He told his master that on his arrival at Chidambaram, if he did not see his master there, he would return to Thiruvannamalai. And so the student took leave of his master rather reluctantly. On arrival at the abode of Lord Shiva at Chidambaram and heading straight for the inner sanctum, Guru Namashivayar had the darshan of his master and guru Guhai Namashivayar! The disciple never returned to Thiruvannamalai henceforth. 


Agathiyar too has a beautiful tale to tell.

When his nation was facing severe drought and food shortage, a king left the comfort of his palace to seek the advice of any wise man who could advise him on ways to overcome his nations’ problems. The king set out alone in search of such a man. Unfortunately he lost his way while trespassing in the woods. Fearing for the wild animals that prowled the forest, he climbed a tree and perched on the tree waiting for dawn to break. Suddenly he was awakened by voices and on peering down from the tree he saw a Yogi and a young aid sitting below the tree and exchanging a conversation. Hoping that these strangers might be of some help to him the king comes down from the tree to meet them. The king stretches himself in front of the Yogi in an act of respect. But the king while doing so could not help hold back his tears and burst out crying. The Yogi came to know everything about the king the moment he laid eyes on the king. He addresses the king, “The past actions of ours, follows us just as the shadow does. Your ancestors’ past action, your past action and those of your subjects have given rise to the present situation and sufferings. If you want your kingdom and and your subjects to regain its lost happiness, look for one who is unselfish, who remains aloft, and does not succumb to greed and other evils. Have his feet washed and conduct rituals as he ordains. Some good might then happen."

The king immediately turns to the Yogi and pleads that he be the one to safe him and his kingdom. But the Yogi mentions that he was there only to show the king the way and adds that he was not qualified to take the place of the said candidate and moves on. He turns back to the king and tells him to pray that the Lord shall show him the right candidate.

After on the move for some time, the king decides to break his journey. He finds the young man who had accompanied the Yogi earlier sitting under a tree. The king now pleads with the youngster to accept the responsibility to safe his kingdom since he (the youngster) had been with the Yogi all this while. The lad questions the king that since his master himself had admitted that he (the Yogi) was not qualified, how could he being his student undertake this massive responsibility? The lad too walks away.

Night sets in and as usual the king climbs up a tree to spend the night. He is awakened by voices in the middle of the night. He observes that a group of decoits having robbed his people, were sharing the loot among themselves. The king confronts the decoits. The decoits seeing him clad in the best clothes mistake him for a merchant. The king tries to talk them out of their thieving activities but they justify that they have to feed their families too. The decoits brief him on the sad state of his kingdom not realizing that they were addressing their king. They inform him that evil has taken an upper hand in the absence of the king and in the face of the calamities, hunger and famine. Finally they too had resorted and succumbed to thieving means robbing others to keep themselves alive. They end up relieving the king of all his belongings and clothing leaving him with just his undergarment.

This incident drives the king to think further about all that was happening around him. The king starts to ponder for a long time. When dawn breaks he spots a lake and takes a dip in it, drinking the water to fulfill his thirst and hunger. He comes across a deserted Shiva temple. He cries his heart out to the Lord asking for guidance, to show him the savior of his kingdom that was promised by the Yogi and to help his citizens who have slowly turned to become decoits, now looting their our kind. The king who is now entirely exhausted and drained of energy, and who cannot figure a way out of his sufferings and problems, then surrenders himself to Shiva. He goes into a deep meditative state almost immediately. 

A few days go by. When he comes around he decides that he would not want to return to his kingdom. He starts to clean up the run down temple making it his new abode now. He takes the sole brass lamp to the lake and gives it a good brushing too. He spots a “sikkimukki kal”, a stone used to ignite a fire in those days and locates a worn cotton wick. Sadly there was no oil to feed the flame either. Desperate to keep the flame going he uses the water from the lake but to no avail. He then gathers the leaves and plants, extracts their juices to feed the flame but is again unproductive. Thinking that he could use the fat and oil extracted from meat of dead animals he looks around but is disappointed again. Four days pass by while the king attempts all possible means to keep the flame burning. Several more days roll by. He gets another idea. He heads for the nearest rock formation and rubs his hands on the rough surface until his palms start to bleed profusely. He collects his blood and feeds the flame. The flame keeps burning!

“God is neither stone nor a figment of my imagination. God has shown his presence”, he claims and laughs out in joy on seeing the flame burn for hours. He dances in joy. He then takes a vow not to leave the temple and to keep the flame burning forever with his blood. When the flame died down he collected more blood even if the action hurt him and he fainted on several occasions due to extreme pain and torture. As days went by his worship and prayer which initially was centered on the welfare of his state and his people expanded to include all of God’s creation too. 

One fine day, upon waking up the king is surprised to see many people gathered around him. They tell him, not realizing that he was their sovereign, that they are from the neighboring kingdom (his kingdom) and recap what had taken place in his long absence. He came to know from his subjects that his kingdom was in a very sorry state of affairs and was in need of dire and immediate assistance. 

His people continue. They tell the king that they were directed to seek him out at this temple by a Yogi. The Yogi had ask that they convince and bring him (the king) to their homeland and engage in some rituals that will reverse all the atrocities committed in their homeland, promising that rain will fall and their land will become fertile again. They tell him further that the Yogi had refered him (the king) as a Maha Yogi. 

His citizens plead that he follow them, bless their homeland and bring the much needed change to their homeland and also to inform them of the whereabouts of their long lost ruler (the king).

The king could not comprehend the Yogi’s words and directive to his people. He replies to his people that there was no Yogi or Mahan at the temple. He tells them that he was the only soul around for miles. But his people insist that he was the one indicated by the Yogi based on what the Yogi had told them. “The Yogi said that you would not have any attire on you except for your undergarment, you would be lean and undernourished, and you would have wounds on your palms. We had been searching in the direction indicated by the Yogi and we found you and this temple,” reaffirmed his subjects. Not willing to listen to him any further, they pick him up and head for their homeland. The moment they arrive at the outskirts of their homeland it begins to pour cats and dogs. The people come out of their homes and dance in joy. They head straight for his palace and sit him on the king’s throne (his throne).

At that moment the Yogi who showed the people to the king arrives at the assembly. The people fall at his feet. So does the king. The king recognizes the Yogi as the sadhu who met him and blessed him to seek a Yogi who would bring change to his kingdom. The Yogi introduces the king to his people and reiterates again that the king was now a Maha Yogi. The king is all the more disturbed when his subjects start to fall at his feet on hearing the proclamation by the Yogi.

The Yogi explains that a sole flame that is lighted is not an extraordinary feat, burning by itself, but to light up the next lamp beside it, is something to be looked upon with high regard. Similarly a true Gnani will want to ignite the spark of devotion and gnanam in his disciple so that he too could glow with all the luminosity. Just as a miner shifts through the earth in the hope of seeing a tiny sparkle in the soil that would be of value, the Gnanis seek the face of the earth vetting through the millions of people looking for a potential candidate who will listen to them and uphold their teachings, eventually becoming one of them. The Siddhas mention this lineage as "Valaiyadi Valaiyaaga Vantha Thiru Kuttam"

The Yogi goes on to explain why he considers the king as a Maha Yogi. When he felt compassion towards his subjects and went in search of a remedy and a solution; when he pleaded to the Lord to guide and show him the right man to bring cheer into his life and his subjects; and when he tried to convince his citizens who had turned into decoits due to prevailing circumstances, not to sacrifice their good tendencies in the face of calamities, the king had won the battle and was half way becoming a Yogi. Next when he admitted that he was not fit to lead his people not knowing of a way to bring them out of their miseries he had moved another step up the ladder in becoming a full fledged Yogi. Later by bringing life into the abandoned temple and feeding the flame with his blood, he have proof beyond doubt that he have attained the state of a Maha Yogi. Finally the Yogi says that one who is satisfied in his life is a Yogi and a Gnani. This is the identity of a true Gnani. 

KALLAR HILLS - A PLACE OF WORSHIP THAT RIDS ONE'S KARMA - கல்லாறு மலை - கர்மா போக்கிற ஸ்தலம்

Many a times, Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigalaar and Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyaar have extolled the significance of the Kallar hills where the ashram the Sri Agathiyar Sri Thava Murugar Gnana Peedham is situated. Kallar is mentioned in Agathiyar 12,000 too.


Recently Agathiyar mentions the significance of this place in the Jeeva Nadi revelations through Nadi Guru Ganeshan of Tanjavur. This revelations were compiled as JEEVA ARUL NADI - AGATHIYAR VAKKU by Karthik of the Sidhar Arut Kudil, Thanjavur, and is available on page 103.

இந்த கல்லாறு மலை அதி சீக்கிரம் 
பூர்வ ஜென்ம பாவங்கள்,
முன்னோர்களின் பாவங்கள்,
சாபங்கள் குறைத்து கொள்ள ஏற்ற இடம் 


Agathiyar specifically mentions that Kallar Hills is the place to drastically and quickly reduce the karma done in the past births, even karma done by the forefathers, and rid one's curses. 

Thirteen years back Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal at the end of his search for answers throughout the length and breadth of India, was finally instructed to seek a place known as Agathiyar Vanam. Now seeking Agathiyar Vanam, Tavayogi asked around and was pointed to Kallar. Initially upon arrival he stayed at a run down temple in the vicinity. Later the local village head invited him to put up a shed at the present site of the ashram. 

Tavayogi and his ashram in the earlier days
Tavayogi's ashram in the present day
As days went by, the public and devotees helped towards building a proper building to house the Aaru Aadhaara Peedham, followed by the 6 1/2 feet tall fiber statue of Agathiyar, Thava Murugar, and Lord Shiva in the form of a 1 1/2 tall rudraksham weighing 7 kg.

Agathiyar explains the significance of these hills. Generally the prime significance of these hills is the abundance of herbs that grows and is available  in these regions. A herb or a tree that grows in these hills has 100 times more potential than those grown or found in the plains. Taking into consideration this matter and also for the benefit of mankind and his well being, temples were built on top of these hills, and man was directed to pray at these temples to reap these benefits. 

Agathiyar explains the benefits of walking and hiking. A daily routine of going up and coming down the hills will definitely be beneficial. Those unable to hike up these hills, could use other means or facilities. By walking man tends to rejuvenate all his 22,000 odd nerves in his body. This is the physical benefit gained. On the spiritual aspect, one's karma is reduced, based on the physical exhaustion and tiredness as a result of hiking up the hills. Together with contemplation and continuous prayers, karma is eventually reduced.

Surprisingly, Tavayogi was directed to place a statue of Agathiyar in the hills of Kallar too. This place known as Mulasthaanam was the very spot Agathiyar had given Tavayogi his darshan. Able devotees hike up this hill with assistance from the local guides to have a darshan of Agathiyar.







Tavayogi makes it a routine to take a walk every morning. I was privileged to tag along on my first visit and again with my family on my second visit. When Tavayogi was in Malaysia I invited him for a walk which he gladly accepted as he had no opportunity to do so during his period of stay in Malaysia.








Tavayogi performs the annual Sarva Dosa Nivarana Maha Yagam to help devotees 'burn' away their karmas by participating in the Yagam or the lighting of the sacrificial fire conducted at the ashram grounds. Agathiyar too mentions in my Nadi reading that by conducting Yagam or a smaller version of it, the Homam, it was possible to rid of one's karma. Tavayogi initiated me to start performing the Homam.


Tavayogi has put into place and as a practice, these divine directives of Agathiyar for the good of man and his kind.

So make a reservation to participate in the 108 Sarva Dosa Nivarana Maha Yagam that will be held on the 8th of January 2015.



Monday 27 October 2014

THE GUIDING HANDS OF AGATHIYAR

The very first painting of Agathiyar given to me to be worshiped by the late Shivabalan of Agathiyan Shelter in 2002 after my very first Nadi reading.
The 2nd painting of Agathiyar that I worshiped
Agathiyar worshiped in the form of a bronze statue, commissioned and made according to strict specifications in the Nadi 
When Agathiyar came to our shores in the form of a bronze statue, a replica of the granite statue at Agasthiyampalli, Vedharanyam, he promised to bring change. All he asked for was to light a lamp (agal) and state our wishes. He assured us he would try his level best to help us. This was his message through my Nadi reading in 2009, to all gathered at Agathiyar Vanam to celebrate his Jayanthi and Guru Puja a day after his arrival.

True to his words, Agathiyar has come to start us off on a marvelous journey. We started taking up the task of doing rituals like lighting the sacrificial fire as instructed by Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal and performing libation as instructed by Agathiyar in the Nadi. Friends and family gathered and joined in these prayers. We have been doing these rituals regularly for the past 4 years now.

Agathiyar who intended to only stay for awhile while awaiting the commencement and completion of the Sri Jegathguru Raghavendra Mritiga Brindavanam where he intended to move to on completion, changed his mind soon and decided to stay put at Agathiyar Vanam as he revealed in the latest Nadi reading, my 50th. We are indeed honored, privileged and blessed to be told that Agathiyar wants to remain with us.

Varadharaj of the Bronze Creative brings me more joy through his message to me stating that he was currently working on 8 more bronze statues of Agathiyar, similar to the one at Agathiyar Vanam, all commissioned by Malaysians, the largest being 21 inch in height.

It has been a momentous journey, looking back at the compassion and teachings of Agathiyar. I have gained many insights into the mysterious world of the Siddhas by their grace. These messages came across through the many Nadi readings that I have had; through brief moments with my Guru Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal; through Nadi revelations made to many sincere seekers and Gurus including Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar, the late Jeeva Nadi Guru of Chennai and Jeeva Nadi Guru Ganeshan.

Agathiyar invites us all to hold his hands and walk his path. He pledges that he shall lead us to the Almighty whom he prefers to call Erai. Agathiyar says his hands are forever outstretched far and wide to receive man into his fold. The Siddhas are always waiting patiently for any man to come by, who they could take into their folds and mold him further. Once one turns a glance on the Siddhas and takes notice of them, they who are forever eager to help us reach the kingdom of God, extend their arms out to us. Agathiyar promises that once we grab hold of his (Agathiyar's) hands, he shall lead us to the kingdom of God. Agathiyar understands that for man to cover this spiritual journey, where change has to set in, cannot be done in a year or too. Nevertheless he reaffirms that fate has to be won over.

Agathiyar shows us a way to counter fate. For one to face his destiny or fate he needs Atma Balam. Saying thus, Agathiyar invites us to strengthen our soul and gain Atma Balam, the means and ways revealed and guided through his many Nadi revelations. The Nadi being a means of direct communication where the Siddhas speak to the seeker through the medium of this mysterious oracle, addresses all of man's needs. The Siddhas read out the blueprint of man and advise him accordingly. It is only required of man to have his ears all tuned to receive and act accordingly. 

Saturday 25 October 2014

ONGKARAKUDIL

Suren Selvaratnam recently concluded his short visit to India with blessings from Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar of Ongkarakudil, Thuraiyur. Suren is a frequent visitor at Ongkarakudil in Thuraiyur and their branch in Dengkil, Malaysia.



 


















When material and literature on the Siddhas were scarce in the past, Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar was the only source one could turn too. His followers had established many centers affiliated to him in Malaysia back then. Just like others I too seek these centers hungry for any information, material or literature that I could lay my hands on. When I had the opportunity to go to India on my maiden journey in 2003 I included Thuraiyur in my itinerary.

I reproduce below my first notes and entry on my website indianheartbeat about my encounter and meeting with Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar on day 5 of my maiden pilgrimage to India.

I left for Turaiyur at 3.40 pm hoping to get a darshan and blessings of Rengaraaja Desigar Swamigal, founder and patron of the Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam, at Ongkara Kudil, Turaiyur. I specifically wanted to come here. I had high regards for the Swami as his Nadi revelations was published by his organization, carried praises for the Swami from the Siddhas. 

I reached his ashram at 5 pm. I was welcomed by Nadarajah. On hearing that I was from Malaysia he was overjoyed. He had very high respect for Malaysians. He said, “All these is only possible because of you Malaysians”, pointing to all the structures and facilities put up with donations from Malaysians. I enquired if I could see the Swami. I was told he would be coming in a short while for the evening prayers at 6.30 pm and that I could see him then. While I waited I was served tea. 

After a while Nadarajah, tells me Swami was coming over to meet a couple of businessmen. I was given the opportunity to meet the Swami after them. But before that Nadarajah personally took me around to view all the facilities that they had at the ashram which helps feed the poor. As he ended the tour of the office, kitchen, and stores and other related buildings, he gasped aloud to find that the two visitors had left. He hurried me along to a building, praying that Swami should still be around to see me. 

And there was Rengaraaja Desigar seated alone on the floor in one corner of a small room. There was an aid in attendance standing at the doorway to another room. I entered the room and prostrated in front of the Swami. Deva followed too. Nadarajah introduced me to Swami. Swami talked cheerfully about Kuala Lumpur and enquired from Deva about my arrangement to tour India. I never expected to have an audience with Swami one to one. 

I asked that he bless me. There was no response to my requests. Fearing he might not have heard me I repeated my request. Finally the Swami replied coming to Ongkara Kudil in itself was a blessing. I did not know how to receive his answer then. Nadarajah invited me to stay overnight but I had to turn it down because of prior arrangements to do parikaaram back at the Utamar temple. 

Upon returning back to Malaysia I narrated my visit to Ongkara Kudil and having the audience with Swami to the devotees at Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam in Dengkil and they were surprised that I was allowed to see Swami that easily and in private. I was told the organization had laid certain rules to restrict the inflow of devotees coming to see Swami, which was taking much of Swami’s time and hindering his meditation. Devotees were required to bring along fruits and flowers that were customary when visiting Swamis and cash of Rs1, 000. It did not occur to me to bring these offerings nor did Nadarajah enlighten me on the procedures. I suppose I was destined to meet the Swami. 

I told myself there could be many reasons for Swami not to bless me as did the other Gurus. I began to question myself if I was not worthy enough to receive his blessings. 

Will Zulkowsky in his book MEETINGS WITH YOGI RAMSURATKUMAR, published by Yogi Ramsuratkumar Bhavan, mentions a similar incident between Yogi Ramsuratkumar and a seeker.
We have the chance of witnessing some really interesting moments with Him (Yogi Ramsuratkumar).
For example, a young American man with a shaved head who had just come from seeing Anandamayee Ma, a famous North Indian Saint, appears one evening while we are sitting with Swami. He tells Swami that he has graduated summa cum laud, i.e. first in his class, from Harvard University and has completed three years at John Hopkins Medical School. As a result of his medical studies, he realizes that pain and suffering are everywhere and has come to India to find out what is the root cause of suffering before he goes out to practice medicine.
Swami first asks him what a dirty beggar like Him could possibly tell a Harvard grad. Swami listens nicely to the man for about two hours and then the man leaves.
A few minutes after the man leaves, Swami turns to us and says that "this beggar could do nothing for that man." 
About ten minutes later, Swami tells us that Anandamayee Ma had made a blessing over that man's head and that He did not want to disturb it.
After many years Agathiyar explains the circumstances surrounding my meeting the Swami and why he did not bless me then in a Nadi reading.

Ganesan Gunarajan of Malaysia too is a regular face at Ongkarakudil and Dengkil. Once he had prayed that Agathiyar provide him an opportunity to feed the poor in Malaysia just as is done at Ongarakudil. Miraculously Ganesan is approached by individuals who ask for food. These individuals were from various faiths and insisted on vegetarian food. Ganesan happily provided for them.

Friday 24 October 2014

AGATHIYAR ON THE MOVE

Ssrashta Varadharaj of the Bronze Creative based in Swamimalai is currently working on 8 bronze statues or murthys of Agathiyar for clients in Malaysia, the largest being 21 inches in height. I understand from Varadharaj that all the 8 clients want a similar murthy to the one at Agathiyar Vanam. It is indeed an honor. It is indeed encouraging to see the overwhelming interests from the public wanting to worship Agathiyar.

I had carried a post on Varadharaj and his noble work at http://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2013/08/agathiyar-bronze-creative-swamimalai.html. Varadharaj is the creator of Agathiyar's murthy now residing at Agathiyar Vanam in Malaysia.


Agathiyar at Agathiyar Vanam has become a celebrity. Bala Chandran snapped a photo of a billboard that he came across at Vaitheeswarankoil, carrying a photo of Agathiyar.


Similarly Agathiyar has been adorning the covers of several books. I had posted these photos at http://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2014/08/agathiyar-everywhere.html and http://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-note-of-thanks-to-varadaraj-of-bronze.html

Many friends have commented on Agathiyar and want to get a statue for themselves too.  Wyman Daily Dhamma wrote "Can I have your contact number or e mail address? I'm searching up and down for agathiyar statue", while Shiva Subramaniam from Karaikudi wrote, "I like to purchase the Agathiyar idol same like urs." Valli wrote, "Hello Shanmugam sir, the picture of Agathiya peruman opened his eyes is awesome. (No more words to say). The bronze statue of Agathiya peruman is very very very beautiful also I never saw Agathiya peruman in this much beauty in any where else."

All the credit goes to Varadharaj. Agathiyar worked through him to deliver such a magnificent masterpiece. 

Varadharaj was generous enough to show us a sneak peek of the Agathiyar he was commissioned and is in the works currently.


I came across Agathiyar's photo in other mediums too. 

Wednesday 22 October 2014