MILESTONES On the Path of the Sidhas

Ramalinga Adigal

MILESTONES On the Path of the Sidhas

Cover: Thillai Nadaraja in Bronze.

Agathiyan Production House

First Edition February 2011 Revised Edition May 2011

Ramalinga Adigal

To my gurus, Supramania Swami of Thiruvanamalai who woke me from my sleep & Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of Kovai who nurtured me.

Ramalinga Adigal

Ramalinga Adigal

Swami Satprakashananda quotes the message of the worlds great Upanishadic sages in Meditation- Its Process, Practice, and Culmination, Death is not your final end. Do not give way to despair. You are not destined to be subject to this play of dualities forever. There is the Supreme Being, The very perfection of existence, which you can reach in this very mortal life and where you can find life beyond death and complete fulfillment of your ideal. Therein is the culmination of your knowledge, therein is the consummation of your love, therein is complete rest and therein dwells unruffled peace. There shines the light that never fails, and there abides joy unbounded. How can man reach that? Through this very life, by regulating this mortal life he can reach the immortal. This is also the essence of the message of the Sidhas. The Sidhas are said to be eagerly waiting for a disciple to come by, whom they can share their teachings with and transform him into another sidha equivalent in status or higher than them.

Ramalinga Adigal

Ramalinga Adigal

Preface
I started frequenting temples as a bachelor and used to pray rigorously at home in the wee hours of the morning. Then all this came to an abrupt stop. After a lapse of fourteen years (1988 to 2002) I was introduced to the sidhas through the reading of the nadi or writings on palm leaf by the sidhas. It amazes me even now to think how my life took a turnaround after I saw the nadi. Since then Agathiyar has guided me through these nadi readings. Agathiyar, through my nephew, started me back on the path of worship in 2001. The nadi showed me the path of the Sidhas in 2002. Supramania Swami of Thiruvanamalai aroused me from my sleep (of ignorance) in 2003. Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal nurtured me further. Agathiyar had revealed through the nadi my past karma so as to make me aware of the consequences of my action. He pointed out ways and means to soften the hold of karma. He showed me the path of the sidhas in 2002, which I had a choice either to follow or ignore. He introduced me to Tavayogi in 2005. He had lots of advice for me to strengthen my weaknesses and become a better person. He motivated me. He delivered mantras and practices in the nadi. Agathiyar has also come to my home in the form of a bronze statue. He has asked that rituals be conducted. He has asked that homage be paid to deities. He has asked that yogic asanas and pranayama exercises be continued. He has asked to continue chanting mantras. He has asked that meditation be pursued. I have held fast to the nadi and it has worked out for me. There were instances where what was said in the nadi did not materialize

Ramalinga Adigal

because I had not put in the effort towards it. And at other times it did not work out since I had surrendered to my guru Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal. Just as there are milestones along a road, I am blessed the sidhas have provided milestones too on their path eight in number to date. I share the bliss that I have attained in the worship of Sidhas with you through my writings. The Sidhas have seen God. We seek the Sidhas aid in wanting to see God too. By their grace we shall realize God.

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Contents
Preface ......................................................... 7 Introduction ................................................ 11 Starting the Journey ...................................... 13 T h e Fi r s t M i l e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5 The Second Mile .......................................... 17 The Third Mile ............................................. 18 T h e Fo u r t h M i l e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9 T h e Fi f t h M i l e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 The Sixth Mile ............................................. 22 The Seventh Mile ......................................... 23 The Eight Mile ............................................. 27

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Ramalinga Adigal

11

Introduction
I was born in Taiping, Malaysia. My late father was from Kilaasevalpatti village in Sivagangai-Karaikudi District, South India. My mother told me that I used to fall sick often as a child. Once when I was a few months old, I was purging badly. My parents had lost two children for the same reasons. So when the doctors could not bring relief to me, my parents took me to our neighbor of that time - a Chinese medium. I was attended to by the medium who asked that I be given away in adoption to the Gods. My parents agreed without hesitation so long as the medium could save me. So it was that I was saved and had a Godfather looking over my shoulders from then on.1
1

Since then until I was thirteen years of age, I was taken to this medium for treatment in the event I fell sick. The medium used to go into a trance in front of his altar, hitting his back with the blunt edge of a sword and would then dispense his medicine which was a strip of yellow paper, written with certain Chinese characters. He would light up the strip of paper and drop the ashes into a glass of water and the concoction was given to me to drink after which I would be cured. The first time I ever stepped into a government hospital was when a dog bit me and fearing I could contract rabies I was asked to seek medical attention at the hospital. Once when I was in my twenties I stopped over to offer prayers to my Godfather at a Chinese temple. There I got to peek into the future by way of shaking an open cylindrical can of sticks with numbers on them. The stick that dropped out of the can was counter referred to with a huge book of fortune telling. The corresponding number in the book stated that I had numerous friends not literally speaking though but I was told gods and saints were constantly looking over my shoulders, ever protecting me. A palm reader told me once that the presence of a parallel line close to my lifeline on my right palm was an indication that the gods were ever protecting me.

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As a youngster I attended religious classes with my brothers and friends where I was taught the devotional hymns Thevaram. I attended classes held in the Buddhist Vihara next to my home where I was told stories and parables on Buddhas life. I was taught to chant mantras too. In my teens, I enrolled for a correspondence course in Christianity from a church based in Singapore where I read the bible and answered tests papers to qualify for a certificate. Later in college I was exposed to Islam through a gardener of Pakistani roots who was working in the college and who used to accompany me on the bus. I was having a problem-free life as a kid where everything was taken care of as I was the second youngest in a family of seven so nobody expected much from me. On finishing college, I landed a job. I frequented all the temples in those places that I had stayed. I was also engaged in aggressive worship at home in the early hours of the morning and at sundown. This was the time where I had dreams upon dreams of Hindu Gods and Goddesses which most of the time I could not comprehend. Then all these came to an abrupt stop. After a lapse of fourteen years (1988 to 2002) I was introduced to the sidhas through the reading of the nadi or writings on palm leaf by the sidhas. Subsequently I made two pilgrimages to India. I was blessed to meet two wonderful gurus. Then Agathiyar choses to come to my home in the form of a bronze statue. I await his next directive.

This belief was later strengthened when I read my lifes prediction written on palm leaves (nadi), in December of 2002. I was introduced to the Agathiyar and the Sidhas through the nadi.

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Starting the Journey

Om Namoh Bhagavathe Vasudevaya Namaha It was 4 pm on a Saturday afternoon on the 6th of October 2001 when my nephew, Thayalan came over to my house and passed on a mantra. He asked me not to question the source but he had been instructed to pass me the mantra. He asked that I sit in front of the altar facing him and the east. He sat crossed-legged, shut his eye, and went into a meditative state. His body shook and he spoke, asking me to repeat the mantra thrice Om Namoh Bhagavathe Vasudevaya Namaha. I needed to meditate on this mantra in preparation to meet my guru. I was told my longing for a guru was to be realized. He asked me to get a rosary and start chanting this mantra immediately. And so I started on this teecha mantra that same evening.2

It was only on 24th December 2005 that Thayalan revealed the source of this message. He told me the mantra was from the Devis who accompany his Paramaguru Gopal Pillai. They delivered the mantra on the instruction of Agathiyar. I happened to come across this mantra being mentioned in an article on the net. It was an extract from an English translation of KRIYA YOGA VIJNAN THE SCIENCE OF KRIYA YOGA, the original by Saint Lahari Mahasaya. Lahari Mahasaya has named this sadhana omkar kriya. This is essentially a pranayama and the basis is the Vasudeva mantra. The sastras have propounded that the Vasudeva mantra is an omniscient mantra. When a sadhaka starts comprehending his awareness as one with the mantra then he becomes omniscient himself. Then his attainment shall be I am this omniscient Vasudeva. In the Gita it is stated in the very last of all births the man of wisdom worships me, realizing that all is Vasudeva. Rare indeed is the soul. Then do namaskar to the self.

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On the 15th, Thayalan came over with another set of mantra for the forthcoming Navarathri prayers. On the 17 th, I started the Surya Gayathri Mantra and prayers to Durga. On the 26th, Thayalan gave me a further two mantras over the phone to be recited on the 10th day of Navarathri. After a year into reciting this mantra, by his Grace, I am blessed to read my nadi.

In THE HIDDEN MYSTERIES OF KUNDALINI written by R Venu Gopalan, the author explains that this mantra is recited for balancing the Vishnu Granti. This is the maha mantra of Lord Krishna. Its benefits are as follows: The nadis of the heart chakra gets cleansed. It balances the heart chakra. Continuous practice of this meditation on this mantra helps in purification of the thinking process. It also helps in dissolving all the past karmic deeds for a better future. The Vishnu Granti adds obstructions for the sadhaka keeping one under the wraps of attachment, bondage, leading to the process of selfishness and supra ego. In a book on Saint Dhruva, it is mentioned that this mantra was given to Dhruva by Saint Naradar who initiated Dhruva into the mysteries of yoga and meditation leading to Samadhi. Naradar taught Dhruva the practice of pranayama by inhaling, exhaling, and holding the breath. He taught Dhruva to overcome thought fluctuations with the help of breath control. Naradar also taught Dhruva to meditate on Vishnu in the sanctuary of his heart repeating the Lords name mentally and offer prayers and worship. He advised Dhruva to go to Madhuvana for tapas because it was a sacred place where vibrations prevailed, which would help him in his sadhana and Samadhi.

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The First Mile

Om Maa Sidhargal Potri Potri (Praise to the Sidhas) My friend Murali mentions to me that he had seen his nadi in the year 2000. It was interesting to listen and amazing to know that the sidhas could predict what was to happen in the future through writings in the nadi, a few hundreds of years back. They could also tell ones past, I was told. He made arrangements for me to have a reading at Sivabalans house. On 14th December 2002, I sat in front of the nadi reader Sentilkumar in eagerness to listen to what was in store for me. I was also apprehensive at the same time. I sat in awe as Agathiyar made revelations of my past, present and future through the nadi. I was asked to perform atonements. In the thirteenth canto or Shanthi Parikara Kandam, Agathiyar advised me to worship Ganapathi for forty-eight days to reduce the evil effects of my karma. I was asked to worship the Sidhas and Shiva too. The ninth canto or Gnana Kandam dictated my spiritual path. I was asked to worship Shiva, Ganapathi, Agathiyar, and the eighteen Sidhas. The worship of Sidhas was something new. I asked Sentilkumar if he could elaborate on the prayers for these Sidhas. He immediately gave me a booklet SIDHAR POTRI PAADALGAL. It carried a compilation of names of Sidhas that was to be recited at prayer. He also passed me a leaflet announcing the intention to build a temple cum ashram for

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Agathiyar at Kallar, Kovai by Thaai Veedu Thangarasan. Sivabalan gave me a painting of Agathiyar to aid in my prayers. 3 After a year into reciting the Sidhar Potri, by his Grace, I am blessed to meet my first guru Supramania Swami of Thiruvanamalai.

When I met Tavayogi for the first time in 2005, he confirmed that the leaflet handed to me by Sentilkumar was distributed by him. When I invited Tavayogi to my home, he had this booklet with him. He read a few songs from it. He mentioned that he had compiled these songs and published this booklet. Only then did I realize that Tavayogi had already come into my life much earlier in the form of the leaflet and the booklet.

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The Second Mile

Hara Hara Siva Siva Sivasivaya Namasivaya Sivayanama Om After completing my atonements in Malaysia, I left for India the following year in 2003. I was to conduct atonements at Utamar temple, Palur Sani temple, and Thiru Anaikaa temple, all in Trichy. Besides that, I was asked to worship at the five elemental temples of Shiva, namely Kalahasti temple in Andhra Pradesh, Egambareswarar temple in Kanchipuram, Thillai Nadaraja temple in Chidambaram, Thiru Anaikaa temple in Trichy (already mentioned) and to go around the sacred hill (Girivalam) of Thiruvanamalai during a full moon. I was also instructed to worship at Palani Murugan and Bhogars temple. After the Girivalam I headed out 8 kms from Thiruvanamalai to have my daughters astrological chart read. Deva, my appointed driver, introduced me to his uncle, Supramania Swami. I seated myself in front of him as he prepared to chart my daughters future. But what he actually did was to talk about my future and me. After five hours of revelation and receiving a mantra teecha, Hara Hara Siva Siva Sivasivaya Namasivaya Sivayanama Om, I bid Supramania Swami farewell as night fell over this small village known as Nachaananthal. I had met my first guru. After I returned to Malaysia, we corresponded through the mail and later through the phone. Swami had a desire to build a temple. While construction of the foundation for the temple in Thiruvanamalai was in progress, a sidha stops him from continuing further. It has been four years now since Swami went into Samadhi on 7th February 2007.

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The Third Mile

Om Sing Vang Ang Ung Mung Agatheeswaraya Namaha On 9th March 2005, Dr. Krishnan, my friend, astrologer and sidha practitioner called me on the phone and passed on Agathiyars Moola Mantra Om Sing Vang Ang Ung Mung Agatheeswaraya Namaha as I was in the midst of my prayer to Agathiyar. It was like Agathiyar himself was giving me mantra teecha upadesam in my ears. Earlier on 6th March 2005, I had received Agathiyars yantra from the Dr. After a year into reciting Agathiyars mantra , by his Grace, I am blessed to go on a pilgrimage to several Sidha Samadhis and caves accompanied by my second guru Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal.

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The Fourth Mile

Om Sim Vam Arm Um Mum Agatheesaya Nama I had happened to come across articles in the local Tamil language papers about the opening of an organization called the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham at Batu Caves consecutively over a few days. Accompanying that article was a photograph of Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of Kallar, India. I do not buy Tamil papers but surprisingly during this period my neighbor Augustine sends us a complimentary copy every day. I made an appointment to meet Tavayogi. I took out the leaflet that I had received from Sentilkumar when he read my nadi in 2002. I asked if he was the one mentioned in the leaflet. Tavayogi answered, Its mine . The leaflet had mentioned plans for the construction of a temple cum ashram for Agathiyar in Kallar. I started narrating some portions of the nadi to Tavayogi. I told him about my pilgrimage to India in 2003, meeting Supramania Swami and our attempt at building a temple that was stopped by a sidha. I mentioned to him my meeting with Rengaraja Desigar of the Sri Agathiyar Sanmarga Sangam in Turaiyor, India too. Tavayogi listened. Tavayogi gave Kara Teecha Om Sim Vam Arm Um Mum Agatheesaya Nama to several people including my wife and me that day.

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The Fifth Mile

Om Sim Vam Arm Um Mum Agatheesaya Nama 15th August 2005, I wanted to see the nadi before Tavayogi left for India that weekend. The last reading I had was in 2002 and Agathiyar had promised another reading when I was in my fortyfifth year. Ramesh played the earlier reading of my nadi on tape by the previous nadi reader Sentilkumar. He located my nadi and read from it, taping the whole session. Agathiyar was so kind and generous to me. He pardoned me for the past mistakes; removed the guilt saying all was his doing and assured me I needed those experiences too; accepted me into his circle (margam); blessed me and my family for a better future. I had performed the prayers well said the Sage. He was extremely pleased with me. I was to make a pilgrimage to India again within the next year. I was to spend three days at Tavayogis ashram the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham Thirukovil in Kallar. I was to go to Palani too. Agathiyar mentioned that I could seek further guidance at the Agathiyar Gnana Peedham in Batu Caves just as Tavayogi had told me earlier. Surprisingly I was told to get another teecha from Tavayogi and request him to accept me as his disciple immediately. On completion of the reading Ramesh delivered the audio recording to me. I bought flowers, fruits and sweets and rushed to the Peedham in Batu Caves where I handed them to Tavayogi, asking him to accept me as his disciple which he did. I narrated

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some portions of the nadi to him. On reaching home I played back the cassette recording of the nadi reading. To my surprise, after about two minutes into the recording, nothing was heard except the crackling sound of the tape. In fact Ramesh had recorded a small portion, rewind the tape and played it back so as to ascertain that the recorder was functioning and the audio level was acceptable. Even after taking such care and precaution, the tape was blank. It amazed me. I called Ramesh to inform him and he was equally puzzled and asks that I bring it back. Ramesh played the cassette and was baffled. He made a transcription of the nadi this time and read it out to me again. Amazingly the reading revealed more information. I was to visit additional pilgrimage spots. Besides Kallar and Palani, which was mentioned earlier, now I had also to go to Thiruvanamalai, Vetharanyam, Pothigai and Courtalam hills too. The Agathiyar Gnana Peedham in Batu Caves was not mentioned any more.4 I invited Tavayogi over to my home and he obliged. He performed a simple prayer on our request. After he left for India, we spoke to each other over the phone and through mails.

The nadi reading made known the possibilities in spiritual realization that was open and available for me; the choice was also given to me, whether to pursue in the direction laid out in those nadi readings, or I could turn a deaf ear and go my way. When I chose the option to see Tavayogi immediately after the reading, the reading was erased mysteriously. The re-reading of that particular nadi revealed much more.

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The Sixth Mile

Om Yennilaa Kodi Devargal, Sidhargal, Rishigal, Munivargal Thiruvadigal Potri Potri 18th September 2005, the third day of my second pilgrimage to India, I started for Kallar. Tavayogi was waiting for my arrival at his ashram steps. Prayer at Tavayogis ashram, the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham Thirukovil, was simple. Tavayogi lighted camphor (sudam) and sang a couple of songs in praise of Agathiyar and the Sidhas followed by the rests of the disciples singing the Sidhar Potri hymns. Agathiyar tells me the name of these sidhas itself is Maha Mantra. I had the opportunity to live out the life of an ashramite at Kallar, an opportunity not available in Malaysia. Besides the places mentioned in the nadi, Tavayogi took me to Sivavakiyars Cave at Sivan Malai in Kangayam, Konganars Cave at Uthiyur, Punakeesars Cave at Chennimalai, and Sargurunathars cave and ashram on the way to Ooty, all in Kovai. After fulfilling the expectations of Agathiyar in the nadi I returned to Malaysia, a satisfied pilgrim.

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The Seventh Mile

Arutperunjhoti Arutperunjhoti Taniperunkarunai Arutperunjhoti After having being introduced to the worship of the sidhas; having performed prayers at various temples to lessen the hold of past karma; having introduced to Tavayogi who nurtured me further; Agathiyar guides me further through the nadi with yogic practices and advise. After five years into sidha worship, on 13th October 2007, Agathiyar graciously points me to the worship of Arutperunjhoti. He tells me the sidhas are in the form of light. Agathiyar asks that I replace the brass lamp with an earthen lamp and to worship Arutperunjhoti in the form of the flame. He asks that I chant the Maha Mantra Arutperunjhoti Arutperunjhoti Taniperunkarunai Arutperunjhoti. Tavayogi in his book ANDAMUM PINDAMUM mentions that Agathiyar has lived beyond the four yugas and as such no one can predict his age. Richard S. Weiss in RECIPES FOR IMMORTALITY, MEDICINE, RELIGION AND COMMUNITY IN SOUTH INDIA published by Oxford University Press, Inc., 2009 refers to Tirumulars TIRUMANTIRAM where Tirumular reveals his age, The text depicts Tirumular as one of eight disciples of Nandi who received the title master (ntar) (129). Presumably this period of study was spent on Mount Kailasa, Shivas abode in the Himalayas in the north. He spent much of his time in devotional meditation.

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Daily thinking of the feet of Shiva, who wears the twilight moon, I propounded the gamas. . . Reaching gracious Nandi s feet, after seeing Shivas matchless dance in the flawless hall, I lived an unequalled seventy million eons (yukam) (135136). The matchless dance refers to Shivas dance in the hall at Chidambaram, in his form as Natarajan, indicating that Tirumular also lived some of his eons among ordinary people.

Tavayogi quotes Konganar's work, KONGANAR KAVIYAM 3000 where Konganar says he has seen worlds upon worlds evolve and perish; he has seen fifteen Ramas and Ravanas come and go and he has witnessed eighteen Bharata wars take place. Konganar says he has seen many Vishnus and Brahmas come into existence and go too. He says he has seen worlds come into existence and seen them go into oblivion. From what Konganar says it shows that the sidhas have watched through all these happenings. How is that possible? Agathiyar reveals this mystery to his student Pulastyar. These sidhas are in the form of Jhoti, in the Jhoti and as the Jhoti. That Jhoti is Sivan. This Sivan is also known as Sidhargal Veli, Ucha Veli, Tani Veli, Yega Veli, Oli Veli, Velyil Veli, Para Veli, Indhira Gnana Veli, Gnana Veli, Peru Veli, Uyar Veli, Nathantha Veli, Vethantha Veli, Pazh Veli, Mupazh Veli, Muthar Pazh, Chithira Kodam and Manimandapam too. Ramalinga Adigal calls Sivan or Jhoti as Arutperunjhoti Taniperunkarunai.

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Agathiyar reveals his Jayanthi as at exactly 27 naligai which is 11 hours after the advent of the Ahilya Natchathiram during the month of Margazhi. On 8th December 2008, he tells me in the nadi that he had obtained Arumugams consent to have His statue installed at the Sri Jagathguru Mrithiga Brindavanam that was to be constructed in Ipoh. In the following reading on 8th January 2009, Agathiyar gave me specific instructions on the specifications, time and rituals for casting his statue. His statue had to be a replica of the granite statue in Agasthiyampalli, Vedharanyam, India; he was to be cast in bronze (aimpon) and at Swamimalai, India; he was not to exceed one foot in height; work on him had to start in the Tamil month of Thai and Maasi of 2009; on completion, pujas were to be conducted at the Adi Kumbheshawar Temple in Kumbakonam, and only then was he to be shipped to Malaysia; on arrival in Malaysia, Nava Abhisegam to be conducted and his mantra Aum Agathisaya Nama to be chanted 100,000 times. Vradaraj of the Bronze Creative (BC) in Swamimalai, India was commissioned to cast the bronze statue of Agathiyar. The statue was ordered through the internet in February of 2009. Vradaraj made a visit to Agasthiyampalli, Vedharanyam to photograph the granite statue of Agathiyar and subsequently started working on the wax mould. The statue was cast and completed in early December of 2009 and was flown to Malaysia to arrive at our shores on 2nd January 2010 at 5.53 am a day short of his Jayanthi. I have been conducting pujas for Shiva, Ganapathi, Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal. During these pujas I dressed Agathiyar in the form of the respective deity or guru and sing the praise of the

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deity/guru. On 17th October 2010 Agathiyar tells me that is the TRUTH and he shall take the form of whoever we wished to see. He asks that I continue worship of the sidhas with my family and friends (kootu puja). He asks that I continue rituals to invoke deities and sidhas; the bathing of statues of deities (abhisegam) and lighting the fire pit and delivering various items into the sacrificial fire (homam). He reveals the benefits that are gained from conducting such puja.

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The Eight Mile

Aum Srim Aum Satguru Patame Saaba Paava Vimosanam Rowga Ahangaara Dhur Vimosanam Sarva Deva Sagala Siddha Oli Rupam Sarguruve Aum Agastiya Kiranta Kartaaya Nama Agathiyar himself has revealed a magnificient mantra of his in his Aasi Kaandam reading on 19 April 2011 to mankind to be recited daily during ones prayers. Agathiyar promises that one shall attain greatness and success in all his ventures. He shall gain good health. Good shall prevail. No obstacles and hurdles shall be met. One shall attain a blissful state. He shall get to see Arut Jhoti if this mantra is chanted, promises Agathiyar. I have seen the nadi forty-one times to date and I await further guidance and revelation for nothing is possible without his Grace. Richard S. Weiss in RECIPES FOR IMMORTALITY, MEDICINE, RELIGION AND COMMUNITY IN SOUTH INDIA published by Oxford University Press, Inc., 2009 quotes Tirumulars TIRUMANTIRAM, I received the title of master by Nandis grace. I found Mulan only through Nandis grace. Without Nandis grace, what can be accomplished? With Nandi showing the way, I remained on the earth. Richard says it beautifully, Human effort is successful only with divine assistance.