Purification Not Complete

 Purification Not Complete

Sage Agastya: These discussions reveal that purification is not completely achieved. The very fact that you are discussing the past and analyzing materialistic gain and loss indicates that you are still attached to materials. You are trying to justify this by saying that these hidden thoughts are only coming out.

For anything to come out, it should be there. That shows that there is still a residue of ‘mala’ (dirt) deep within your heart.

Since the discussion has come, it also indicates that you are yielding to the vikshepa[1] triggering elements. If the buddhi[2] has already come under your control, it would not have responded to the stimuli from outside. It also indicates some events, or somebody is providing this stimulation. This is not good at this stage.

Greatness lies in giving wholeheartedly and not expecting anything in return. It is the buddhi which analyzes and the ahankara[3] which makes you look for a result. Your mind is agitated producing vrittis[4] of hatred and negative feelings.

We should always erase the unhappy events of the past. It is wrong to cover a heap of filth with a white satin cloth. The stink will continue to emanate. That is what is happening now. The moment you clean the dirt within, there is a place for God to reside in the heart.

Therefore do not think of what good you have done to others. Do not think of the response from others. Think of all the peace and contentment given to you as a reward for your good deeds. You have precious gifts as a reward for the good deeds you have done in life. Not from people but from God.

That should give you greater satisfaction. Even now if you want to do something do not discriminate or analyze. Do not apply your mind or buddhi. For an aspirant of a higher level, there is no distinction between good or bad people. Such a one does not discriminate. We have to strive to attain this status. Do not analyze anymore or yield to triggering factors. There must only be universal love.

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[1] Vikshepa: Mental wanderings.

[2] Buddhi: Intellect or Knowledge.

[3] Ahankara: Ego

[4] Vritti: Stream of consciousness that indicates awareness of disturbances.

From the book "Agasthiyar Vazhipaadu: Making of a Sacred Book'.

Artwork by Agastya Ram (Manjunath)

Origin of a Rishi

Origin of a Rishi

That day that Sage Agastya predicted when he would disclose more about himself through Gajaraj, did arrive on November 19, 2003. The entire discourse is presented here.

Sage Agastya: Who is Sage Agastya? Bowing to Para Shakti, touching the feet of Parama Shiva, taking the blessings of the beautiful Arumugan, and the grace of Vinayagan, I take their permission to reveal some things about myself.

Whose son is Sage Agastya? How was he born? When did he live? What is the service he gave to humanity?

There is a saying, “Do not ask about the origin of a Rishi.” People have written about me based on their imagination or what they felt in the state             of samadhi. Puranas have many stories about me. They declare that I am an element of Parama Shivan; and that I was born of his third eye; or that I was formed in a pot.

It is true that I was born. It is true that I lived. There are references about me in history, and before that in the Puranas. I was here during the time           of Rama and Parasuraman[1] and during the Krita Yuga[2]. I was created to change certain ways of nature during that time and to subjugate the demons for the welfare of India.

Even though I was born in the northern region, it was in the south that I was understood. My first task was to humble the Vittiba[3] mountain range that was growing rapidly in competition with the Himalayas.

It was a time when monsters were creating havoc in the thick forests among the mountains. It became my principal job to destroy these monsters.

In addition, with the help of the divine, intellect, and small local powers, I had to pave the way for those capable of safeguarding righteousness as rulers of the kingdoms.

It was a time when there were a lot of differences between the northern and southern regions. Very few understood both the regions. It became my responsibility to bring the corners of both regions together.

Before this I married Lopamudra, daughter of a King in the northern region and moved to the south and settled there.

Meanwhile Sahasrara Veerarjuna[4] was killing the Munis of the Brahmin clan. On the other hand, Parasuraman was shaking the very roots of the Kshatriya clan. It became my duty to bring these two warring groups together.

In those days, language was in its infancy in the Dravidian region. It became my responsibility to give Tamil which became the foundation for the languages of the Dravidian region and nurture it and propagate Tamil Sangam and literature. It was my work to give sweet Tamil that was given by Muruga to those that asked for it.

Medicinal plants that can cure any disease were found abundantly in the Vittiba Mountain ranges then and now. I had the task of selecting them and giving them to people. There are many imaginary stories that have been created about me and Cauvery. While Cauvery materialized as water, she too had a form and a soul.

Postscript

Sage Agastya: I was born in the Krita (Satya) yuga, also I was born a little before the birth of Kaliyuga[5].

The Sage once again confirmed that he was present through all the four yugas in a discourse on February 2, 2003.

Sage Agastya: When you came to Agasteeshwara temple, I told you that you will visit three more temples where you can find me within a short period. You have already finished visiting one of the temples where I  consecrated the deities, more than 1400 years ago. You will be wondering whether I lived in that period. The answer is that I am always present in every yuga.

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[1] Rama and Parasuraman are said to have been on earth during the Treta yuga. It appears the Sage was in human form during these two periods.

[2] Krita Yuga: The Sage is using this word which also denotes Satya Yuga. It is considered a synonym to Satya Yuga. At the time of receiving this message, neither the author nor Gajaraj Swamigal knew that a word called Krita Yuga existed.

[3] Vittiba mountains: The author has not been able to find any reference to Vittiba mountains. However, since there is a story about the Vindhya mountains associated with Sage Agastya, we can safely assume that it is that mountain he is referring to. It is possible that the Vindhya’s were known as Vittiba during his time.

[4] Sahasra Veerarjuna: The author and Gajaraj Swamigal were not aware of Sahara Veerajuna during the time of the discourse. Based on available data, Sahara Veerarjuna, also known as Kartavirya Arjuna or Sahasrabahu Arjuna was a king of the ancient Haihayas kingdom. He was a devotee of Dattatreya. There are several historical and legendary stories about him.

[5] This is an important point to note: In several discourses Sage Agastya has said he has existed in all the four yugas. Hence, this particular reference may mean that he did take birth in the human form at least twice to help humanity. Once in Satya Yuga and then in Treta Yuga. That he exists always in the spirit form, is known by all of us who worship him. This is very hard to understand in our rational, logical sense. That the Sage has had continuous presence however is of no doubt.

From the book: Agasthiyar Vazhipaadu: Making of a Sacred Book 

Artwork: Agastya Ram (Manjunath) 

A True Guru

 

Gajaraj Swamigal: Who is fit to be a Guru? What is the purpose of your teachings? Is initiation necessary?

Sage Agastya: Father, I have a lot of work.

There are diverse types of Gurus. You may have heard the names of Gurus who are mentioned in the puranas. The names of Gurus like Brihaspati, Shankaracharya, Parasuraman, Drona are remembered even today.

They are all recognized as Parama Gurus. Very great Gurus. They were Gurus not only for humans, but for Gods, Kings and demons as well.

They are known as fountains of wisdom. Just like water that spouts out from the depths of the earth, knowledge comes out easily from such Gurus. All types of knowledge are hidden in their words. There is nothing that they do not know.

They are all fountains of wisdom. Just like the water that spouts out from the depths of the earth, knowledge generously emitted from such Gurus. All types of knowledge were hidden in their words. They were all great Gnanis. There is no knowledge that that was not known to them.

It is not possible to see any Guru of today who has knowledge of everything. Each Guru brings only one type of wisdom or knowledge.

A big crowd gathers to accept the knowledge that they bestow. Because of this, the Guru speaks about topics that are relevant to the crowd. That is why there are not able to spend time with the disciple closely, clear the dirt, change his behavior, and give him knowledge.

That is why, of the thousands that surround such a Guru, only a few gain the fruit of knowledge that he imparts. While the knowledge given by the Guru is freely available to everyone, only a few are able to understand that fountain of knowledge. In this aspect, it is the disciple to whom we must give importance, rather than the Guru.

Your small wish in your heart, to understand the knowledge of some Gurus of this period, is hidden within your question.

Only a few Gurus of the current times have gained a good name, like Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Paramahansa Yogananda, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Rajneesh, Daya Mata,

All of these had taken up the work from deep within, of taking the people of the world towards a higher life. They shared their teachings in crowds. Even though crores of disciples heard what they said, only a few gaining the fruit of that knowledge; gaining wisdom; changing their lives, are doing good work.

Where there are large crowds, where there are people singing the praises of Gurus in the streets, wherever there is only praise for the Guru on a stage, there you see only praise being exchanged, but very few who seek and gain knowledge.

Now, your question. Who is the chosen among Gurus?

It is the Gurus that I have mentioned above. The true measure of the ability of a Guru, lies in how many disciples have changed their lives after listening to their discourses. Hence, it is not important how many disciples a Guru has.

What is important is how many people are able to understand the knowledge he is giving. And then understanding the purpose of their birth, understanding the duties they must do for others, and learning the method of how to reach the Supreme God, lead their lives accordingly. That is the only thing that is important.

Future of Mankind: A Warning

 

Sage Agastya: Where are we headed? This is a burning question and a most practical one. Humanity is in floods; it is in turmoil. Everything seems upside down now. There is no stability, no spiritual guidance.

The flooding water flows over and under, bumps against rocks, squeezes out of holes, scratches the surface, pulls out roots, invites rubbish. It is full of force, and it stinks. This is how I visualize modern society. Devoid of direction but provided with a lot of energy, it knows not in which direction it should flow.

At this stage, it is not possible to stop the flow and create a beautiful lake out of it. It requires significant effort from various sources.

Neighboring mountains have to be blasted; and stones have to be piled one above the other to curtail its speed. Once the speed is slowed down, the banks have to be strengthened, and further inflow should be diverted. In short, this is an analogy to show what is required to change this dangerous course humanity has taken.

Man has lost all knowledge of the great scriptures. These scriptures in the form of Vedas, Shastras and Puranas have no value for him. Enormous knowledge rising out of scientific investigations and technology have created a mirage which is being perceived as the reality. People are searching for a fuller life in a mirage!

Modern man’s entire life is in this direction. He is going deeper and deeper into the process of investigation. It is literally also true that man is digging deeper into the earth, exploiting every bit of useful material available in the womb of mother earth. He has cut her stomach, is stabbing at her heart, and tearing at her lungs. What does all this indicate?

It indicates self-made destruction. We feel pained to witness all this wanton destruction and exploitation of nature and natural resources. Man is a symbol of unlimited greed.

What is the result of all this? The very natural resources that sustain life have been destroyed. That is why man is now buying clean water and clean air!

In the future, he will not be able to buy land. As things indicate, the powdered earth or soil itself will become dearer. This is the present condition of the relationship between man and his environment.

What about the relationship between man and society? Today, man is like a dust particle without stability of its own. A dust particle gets carried around by the wind, bumps against other particles, and finally settles down in a place it was not intended to settle. In the same way, man usually does not get the job he was intended to have. Instead, he settles down in other jobs by sheer force of circumstances.

There is no direction even in marriage. The proper selection process is not undertaken. Selection is based on outer appearance and material acquisition. That is why there are so many failures on the job front and marriages.

So also, his neighborhood. In big cities, people do not want to know their neighbors. This is the result of sheer indifference and lack of confidence in themselves. They do not want their neighbors to know the ills and sins committed by their families. They are afraid of losing their name, fame, and valuables.

I have touched upon three aspects of relationships, between man, his habitat, society, and his immediate neighbors.

What is the result? He has no love for others and others have none for him. In the absence of love, what is it that grows? It is hatred. Lack of love breeds hatred, jealousy, lack of confidence in himself and others. So, what does he do? He seeks all those materials, living and non-living that give him temporary relief.

What are the things that purportedly give him pleasure? In the modern world, it is going to parties, clubs, restaurants, movies, and picnics. These are all connected with the physical pleasures of eating and drinking. There is no end. There is no complete satisfaction. People get attached and addicted to these pleasures.

Addiction leads to submission. Submission leads to surrender and surrender leads to slavery. In short, the life of modern humans is slavery to time and emotions. Though he pretends and expresses that he is happy, this expression is born of his mind, not of his heart. It is superficial and empty. That is why man is neither happy nor content.

Each one of you can analyze your own friends, relatives, or acquaintances, keeping the above factors in mind. Are they happy?

How do you gauge happiness? It is seen in the health, in the glow in the eyes, purity of words, actions, and deeds. You should analyze these things to find out if a person is indeed happy.

Now the question is, how can we make a person really happy? Judge for yourself who is really happy in society? A poor man who can meet his physical needs for the day, appears to be happy. A child who does not know the full details of society is happy. A rich man who spends part of his money and wealth for those in need is happy. Then there are those who serve in old age homes, destitute homes, and so on. They are happy.

What does this show? It shows that those who lead a simple life are happy. Happy are those who share their love and profit with those who have them not. To sum up, it is in giving that you receive. It is in loving others that we get love. It is in pardoning others that we are pardoned. All this amounts to sacrificing and sharing. The moment you feel other souls as your own, you will be happy. So where does this lead us?

This leads to the ultimate point that every one of you must consider the others as your own soul. You are all part of one Absolute. Love every child as your own.

I understand that it is difficult in the modern world. You extend your hand to shake, and the other person does not react. Do not take it to heart. Just regard it as that person’s karma. He will also wake up at an appropriate time because the strength of the body and wealth and power of intelligence are never the same. They dissipate as time goes on. But remember, love multiplies as time passes.

Finally, the significance of this lecture. You[1] have a significant role in putting a dam across this mad stream. You have the ability to change humanity’s direction. One person cannot accomplish this.

So, in the beginning you will start changing the direction of individuals who come to you. When your purpose is pure and your preaching is effective, people who come in contact with you will change their direction. From them, few others will feel the change. When people who have changed their direction enjoy peace, contentment, and inner joy, they will know the purpose of their life. Small springs with pure water are then available for others who need it.

‘Vazhipaadu’ is meant to serve this purpose. It is a spring that is easily available, and easily tested. Give it to all those that need them.

Then addressing Gajaraj Swamigal, Sage Agastya said: People have already started coming to you one after another. A time will come when you address groups of them. When they change, that change will increase in geometric proportions. Once the lamp is lit, the flame can light an indefinite number of other lamps.

The initial flame belongs to the Supreme Knowledge of the Para Brahman. It flows through the Gurus, seen and unseen. You are all part of this wonderful cosmic intention!

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[1] Even though the discourse was given to Gajaraj Swamigal, his wife Vijayalakshmi and daughter Anuradha, as in all scriptures, these words are meant for everyone who reads these sacred words.

Beginning Meditation

 

Beginning Meditation

Anuradha asked Sage Agastya: “What must one know to begin meditation practices?”

Sage Agastya

You have asked a question which is extremely useful for people in the present day. Nowadays, people are turning towards the path of realization. It is the innate nature of the soul to want to know its reality. It is like the water in the river flowing towards the sea.

The river sometimes stops on its way. It becomes a lake, and when people come to wash themselves or their clothes, the river is happy thinking it is doing a great service. Slowly the water gathers dust and dirt and becomes dirty, unfit for consumption.

It takes a little time for the lake to understand that its nature is not stand still, but to flow. Similarly, people are caught in the web of life. They think they are born to enjoy the pleasures of life and get attached to people and materials. They forget their true nature. Finally, when situations arise and they suffer, the mind realizes that its true nature is to turn towards God.

In search of knowledge, people attend seminars, read books, attend Satsang^[1]. They try to understand the meaning of life through diverse types of meditation and yoga. However, the moment they return to their routine, they forget what they have learnt and feel that routine life is all there is.

If every person who attends a discourse or gathering realizes the true purpose of life, such a person becomes good and useful to the society and will walk on the path of righteousness. However, this is not happening. The results of such gatherings show us what they have learnt.

Let us take the meaning of meditation. People have given two meanings that are contradictory. One is that one must know oneself. The other is to free oneself from all thoughts. Both are correct. The problem arises if one attaches importance to only one of these ideas.

One has to do both. You must have a thoughtful nature, indulge in thoughts for some time and then enter into thoughtlessness. It is only when you know what a thought is will you know how to remove it from your mind. It is like knowing white so you can understand black.

The first step for a beginner is to think about meditation and to understand what he is trying to do. This aspect comes under knowledge. That is why I stress repeatedly that the person who wants to walk on the spiritual path and meditate, should also acquire knowledge.

That knowledge should pertain to who you are, what you are, why this birth and death. What is the meaning behind attaining liberation? All this needs to be taught to the person who is seeking to walk on the spiritual path.

The next step is to prepare the person to undertake the journey from thoughtfulness to thoughtlessness; from waking consciousness to super consciousness. No other person has written a more comprehensive text on this subject than Maharishi Patanjali. His concept of training is elaborate.

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[1] Satsang: Literally means company of the good. These refer to devotional and spiritual gatherings.

Last Birth

 

Self-Realization & Liberation

Vijayalaxmi: Will I have another birth?

Once Vijayalaxmi asked this delicate question. Will I have another birth?

Sage Agastya: God is duty bound to bestow the boon that a devotee asks. However, sometimes if the boon that is asked gives rise to a little dilemma, then it puts the God in a difficult situation to bestow the boon.

Normally, we are not allowed to give a conclusive response to such a question. This is because it is counteractive to destiny’s wishes.

There is another question arising in you right now. “You told about my husband (about his last birth)?” His situation is different from yours.

Yet, I will respond to your question.

This would be a normal question that someone may ask your husband tomorrow. You did not ask such a question for your own sake. It was who made you ask that question for the sake of the world.

If one asks that this be their last birth, the response to all of them is the same. If one wants this to be the last birth, then what is the type of characteristic such a man must possess?

The philosophy of this is this: The soul is  particle of the Absolute that has emanated from him. The soul that has emanated from the Absolute, yearns for the state of merging back with him.

Having taken birth as a human, they create karma by their actions, thoughts, which are contradictory to the created righteous norms.  It is only when completely forgets this state, can the soul break free and reach the Absolute. Such a soul has completed its birth cycle and will not have another birth.

So far I have talked about how the soul reaches the Absolute. This is the reasoning behind that. I will explain what one must do in terms of efforts, behavior, intellect, spiritual practices, if one must reach the Absolute.  

Who am I? What is a soul? Where does it come from? Where must it go? One must understand all this. To understand this people need books and discourses. This is what is known as knowledge or enlightenment. Once that understanding comes, then such a person must pray to God, and find a Guru.

Man must experience the desire for material, physical and money as necessary at the prescribed stages and then get away from them. He must consider each one separately. It is natural that man must have a desire for each of these, based on the phase of life. However, despite having had them, repeated births will come rolling towards one who continues to desire them.

It is such craving that is called desire. Attachment will arise where there is desire. Having acquired something, without having the desire to give it up, some keep looking at it, increasing their desire for it.

When such people refuse to part with those things and try to hold on to those things, desire keeps building up.

Attachment

Attachment arises from desire. From attachment arises lust. Lust is that which arises when one desires to experience something that he has obtained excessively.

Then comes greed. When one holds on to something more than the norm, then that person loses power of discernment. Which means, they will not understand the difference between right and wrong. Righteousness is lost in the world.

For example, the desire for money. Looking at money constantly and finding joy in it is an attachment. Enjoying it without sharing it with others is lust. Greed is when he does not understand that he is earning through wrong means.

Anger

When one’s money increases, and the person doesn’t want to give it to another; and when that another tries to steal it from him; then getting displeased with him, when one acts out, that is called anger.

Delusion is when one where accumulates more and more money, and sees someone who is wealthier than him, and feels that he doesn’t have enough and becomes jealous of him.

Hence, the one who wants this to be the last birth, must not have these: desire, lust, anger, greed, delusion, and arrogance.

The response to your answer is to reflect on each one of these. What is needed to end this cycle of life and death is righteousness. This is the guidance given for the world. Have you followed all this? You have achieved a lot of purity. However, you still have a couple of blemishes that are found ordinary people.

Those who have extreme desire or hate towards anything will not have the grace to progress higher.

In mind, speech, and action, one must only think good. Reflect only on the good. Do only good.

There are no good or bad people in God’s creation. You yourselves have created these characters.

 That is why you look at another and judge them as good or bad. There is nothing bad or good for the Gnani. He does not consider anyone good or bad. He has neither affection nor hatred. Why? He even forgets the ‘I’ at the very end.

When there is no longer ‘I,’ there is no body, no mind, only soul remains. Understanding your soul this way, is called ‘self-realization’ in English. 

 

Achieving Liberation

 

Achieving Liberation

Anuradha: Of all the people who are born, how many return to Brahman?

Sage Agastya: Light of knowledge, Gnaneshwara, my daughter has asked me this big question today.

Higher than high, smaller than small, is that blissful place of the Absolute. This soul is a small particle that has been emitted in creation by the Absolute.

The Absolute gave these small particles of souls form, connecting the universe with the soul; gave them love and hate, gave them body and created them.

Man who is the essence of the Supreme Power or the Absolute, without understanding his own self, lives in an egocentric state.

Morning, and night, considering all the things near him as his; losing his self-confidence, forgetting himself; and getting mired in passion and love, considers this as life and forgets his real self.

However, the soul that is within is unable to bear this and struggles to return to its source having understood the Supreme knowledge.

Some in the world understand this desire that is deep in their hearts. These are the ones who sit in meditation and seek to find the answers for questions like “who am I? why was I born? where do I need to go?” over and over again.

Such people are the wise. These are the great people who are rooted in knowledge. Such are the great ones who have understood the Supreme truth at various times and have given that truth they have understood to the world.

What came from this is called Veda and Vedantham. Puranas were conceived to help create understanding in those who do not comprehend the Vedas.

Hence, the primary comment of the Vedas is declared as, “He who comes from Him (the Absolute) must return to Him.”

Those who listen to this are very few. Those who understand what they have heard are even fewer. Among those that understand what they have heard, those that actually walk that path, are infinitesimal.

It is the pain that one suffers in life that triggers the bird that is deep within to wake up and help it to fly.

It is because of this trigger that man finally understands that life is but an illusion. He will reflect on this life so far and follow the type of Yoga that is fit for him and then through that reach the Absolute.

Because there were many such people in the olden days, they were able to attain the Absolute. It is because such souls did not have to take birth again, the population of the world was also less.

In the beginning of Kaliyuga, there were thirty-three crores of people in India. Today that number has multiplied enormously. What do you understand from this?

Explanation

Souls emanate from the Supreme Self at various times. In order to give them a physical body, parents were needed to live in this world.

Since the souls were eager to take birth, more babies than necessary were born to these parents.

Since only very few are able to attain that state which can help them return to the Supreme self, the population of the world is growing expeditiously.

In this Kaliyuga, some are working hard to return to the Absolute after having opened their eyes, having undergone life, and having understood that there is no substance in it.

The question you asked was this - you asked how many people in this world have attained liberation. As you said, it is written in one yogi’s path that only one mahatma has found liberation.

However, you all need to remember this always - what is hidden from the eyes, and that which is beyond research, is understood by different people differently.

You should not take this one example and based on that think that this is the only truth. That is because the truth that is known to one is different from the complete truth.

Only the Supreme Self knows the complete truth. The knowledge that we have understood as knowledge-temporal knowledge, spiritual knowledge, higher knowledge and even God realization can never be the complete truth.

When the population of the world has increased, the calculation of those that have achieved fruition is less and that of those that have increased is different.

When the number of those descending is increasing, those that are looking up and returning are very less.

Still, there are many souls that have not been considered when taking population into account. They live in forests, caves and in mountain peaks, without being accounted for by the outer world, and are doing penance from the time of their birth itself to attain liberation. Ordinary people of the world will not get the details of these people.

Some others go close to the Supreme God and upon his command are reborn in the world.

What I am going to say now is of great importance.

Sri Krishna came as an avatar. He is an element of Vishnu. Some people consider Vishnu as Para Brahman. But Vishnu is not Para Brahman. He is part and parcel of Para Brahman and emanated from him. That is why the Supreme being is different from Vishnu.

Krishna, who is the energy element that emanated from Vishnu is different. If you observe this, what is revealed through this?

If you look at it in one way, Vishnu, Krishna - all these are souls emanated from the Absolute just like us. But because they are higher in character, they are considered Gods.

The similarity between Gods and humans is that both have come from Supreme God. Gods too complete their tasks and return to the Supreme God. If we look at it in this strain, the thirty-three crore Gods have not yet attained the Absolute.

Gods have not yet gained the complete state that some ascetics that have taken birth as humans have attained, after undergoing their penance.

This is because the Supreme God has divided his work between the Gods. They are required to remain for some time to create, to protect creation from evil, to destroy evil, and to protect people.

Humans however keep coming back through rebirths because of their bad deeds, undue attachment to body, materials, and life. This is what Sri Shankaracharya has explained in four lines[1].

Still assuming human births, attaining the state of goodness they are working to show the path to the world and as swamis or muthadipathis. Such people also return again because of the attachment they have for the mutha’s and temples they have built.

Some have attained the state of enlightenment and are called paramahamsa’s. The moment they want to, they have the ability to return to the Absolute, without having to undergo rebirth.

Because they have this great desire to help people attain the same state that they have attained, they remain in the ether, in the form of spirit and work through some people and remain without returning to the Supreme Self.

Examples: The enlightened Sri Ramakrishna, Gnana yogi Vivekananda, Karma yogi Ramachandra, all these people have the ability to reach Supreme self but have chosen to remain here for the welfare of the world.

Some Rishis who were formed during creation, have completed their work, and have returned to the Absolute.

Me, Sage Agastya, where am I present? If I want to, I have the boon to return to the Supreme power right now.

I helped Parameswara in those days. I pressed down mountains that were imbalanced with my feet and stopped them from tilting over; I captured the unruly river that could not be tamed; I digested the demon Vatapi who tried to rip my stomach to come out. Whenever several Gods asked, I showed them the way to get rid of their problems.

I am now selecting and working through good people like you in Kaliyuga, to help correct the direction the world has taken. When the entire world rests on the foundation of righteousness, that day, I, and other Gurus like me and the Paramahamsa’s will all return to the Supreme Being.

You too were born in this life because you had that one desire that remained attached to your soul to help others.

The time for you to return to the Supreme will happen very soon. Once your work is completed, you can rip everything connected to the world, and return to the Supreme Being the day you want to. Once you are gone, I will still need to continue my work by selecting people like you.

I will tell you this finally: the birth of a human is higher than that of Godhood. There is a state of bondage between God and duty.

However, for man, the only thing that is required are the actions that lead to freedom from rebirth. To attain that, one needs to become a monastic. Or embrace the principles of being a monastic while being in this world.

I advise you all to understand the meaning of the Universal form (Vishwaroopa Darshanam) as expounded in the Bhagavad Gita in the Mahabharata either by reading or listening to it. All living things called Gods, demons, humans, earth, insects, snakes, birds emanate from Him and return to Him.

For this to happen, the great flood needs to take place. When that happens, the entire world and everything on the earth will return to the Supreme. This is the simple explanation of the cosmic law as I know. However, the question I declare was a big one!

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[1]In the hymn Baja Govidnam, Sri Shankaracharya says: “Punarapi Jananam Punarapi Maranam, Punarapi Jananijathare Sayanam, Iha Samsare Bahudustare, Krpaya pare Pahi Murare” loosely translated it means, constant rebirth and death, and laying in the mother’s womb, with no end, please help me cross this through your grace, Lord.”

Temporal and Spiritual Knowledge

 

Temporal and Spiritual Knowledge

Gajaraj Swamigal: Father, Maha Muni, Great Guru, bowing to you, I request you to give me a simple explanation for the word knowledge.

Sage Agastya: Father Ganapathy, giver of knowledge Vadivela, bowing to you, I desire to give a suitable explanation to the question my disciple is asking me.

I will give a simple explanation to the fantastic question that you have posed, listen.

It is not easy to give details to the word called Knowledge.

Knowledge is that micro material, created by God that pervades the entire universe. Knowledge is of several kinds. In that the greatest is the explanation given by the very source of the Absolute! An explanation about this was given through Brahma by Maha Brahma for all the three ages.

As time passed, and as those that lived on earth changed, different explanations appeared that were relevant to the situation.

As the explanations became many, and those that explained this varied, and the meaning differed; yet understand that all this knowledge is like the flowers that have flowered in a tree that has deep roots and hence cannot be shaken.

While the flowers are many, and yet the tree is one, isn’t the taste of the fruit from that tree unique?

We call the knowledge that the Vedas expound as temporal knowledge. The other type of knowledge is spiritual knowledge.

Temporal knowledge is that which is written by man and written in books. It is the knowledge that one learns by being taught by others. The explanation is given by the Guru, or book or through what others say.

Spiritual knowledge is that which is knowledge beyond this. This type of knowledge is normally not known by reading or by listening. This type of knowledge emerges by itself from within. There is a connection between the mind and the soul.

From the depths of the mind, the soul gives the knowledge to the gross body that surrounds it. In such a case, the knowledge that is given by the soul, as it comes through the mind of the human, may get mixed up with the knowledge that he has learnt. I will give you another explanation to this, listen.

When it rains, water runs like a river and reaches the ocean. As it proceeds, it collects some material that is not related to it that is found on its way. In the same way, the temporal knowledge that man has gets mixed up with the spiritual knowledge when it emerges.

It is only when man keeps his mind pure like milk based on his actions, does the knowledge that comes through it remain white!

If one wants to gain that pure knowledge through his soul, then his mind must be pure.

Thinking of the Absolute, when you sit in meditation, and melting that memory of the Absolute in your heart, when you keep your mind without any dirt, and reach the state of void, which is when there is a computability between the mind and the soul.

 The soul becomes one with the Absolute in the yogis, in the paramahamsa’s and those that are pure. The knowledge that comes then is directly from the supreme. Those that reach this stage become known as Brahma Gnani’s - knowers of the Absolute.

Even though the first among the Trinity is Brahma, it is Gnaneshwara who is higher even though he is younger than the Trinity. Those that seek knowledge may first bow to Muruga and then through their own Gurus, gain this knowledge.

The knowledge that you are now gaining is like this. Yet, sometimes, your knowledge, the knowledge that you know, is getting mixed up in this river. This mixing is not wrong, isn’t it only when one bathes, that the place becomes cleansed!

Now I will give you some more details on knowledge.

Knowledge is the very basis of Dharma or righteousness. When one is known as wise, the actions he performs, the words, thoughts, must be without any taint. Goddess Laxmi who holds the lotus in both hands and stands on a lotus is also the supreme epitome of knowledge, I declare!

This is also one of the meanings behind the manifestation of Laxmi, wife of the Lord, as she appears, holding untainted knowledge in her hands, standing on a big lotus flower.

While the spear of Muruga is known as that which kills demons, I will give you a new explanation to that. The demon may be considered as ignorance. It is that sharp spear of Kumara that destroys the demon of ignorance, I declare!

Even though that which is destroyed is the demon of ignorance, that demon once destroyed, is also a pure soul, who emerges after settling all his sins, getting rid of them, and becoming free of the curse.

If you look at demons in all the puranas, you will understand that they are all great devotees.

That is why the one who has acquired the idea of knowledge, must first destroy the demon of ignorance that is within him and allow the lotus of knowledge to bloom in its place. This is liberation.

Science is another branch of knowledge. A person with a sharp intellect, improving his knowledge, understanding the knowledge that comes from within him like a flood, gives out new knowledge to the world at times. We call him a scientist.

There are some differences between a Sage and a scientist. The knowledge that is given by a scientist may be used by man both for good and for harm.

An ordinary Sage gives rationality to the world based on his knowledge. He cleanses the heart of others, and only good happens to others through him. I will tell you something at this point. The state that you are in is the state that I have just told you.

The one who is a Sage goes from ignorance to becoming a scientist and then higher than that.

After doing everything that he can do for others, after giving the knowledge given by the Guru to others, “This is enough, I will give my knowledge and intellect to the Absolute,” saying this, intent on the Absolute, in discipline, forgetting his children, those around him and people of the world, reaches a higher state of a Sage and that becomes the path to liberation.

Then addressing Gajaraj Swamigal, Sage Agastya said, Father, the path that you are walking on now, the actions you are performing, and thoughts have attained purity. Giving the knowledge that I have given you and the knowledge that is already in you, only to those that ask for it; forgetting everything, you will undertake the final journey to reach the Absolute.

Quote of the Day

 

 "Vazhipaadu is walking on the path that I show. It is listening to what I say with reverence and following it."

 

 "Vazhipaadu endraal naan sollum vazhiyil nadapadhuve. Naan sollum sotkalai ketu, panindhu vanangi nadapadhuve."

 

 "வழிபாடு என்றால் நான் சொல்லும் வழியில் நடப்பதுவே. நான் சொல்லும் சொற்களை கேட்டு பணிந்து வணங்கி நடப்பதுவே."

Sage Agastya

Agastya and Literature

 

C

ontribution of Agastya to literature begins with the greatest of all contributions – language, which is the very basis of literature. Legends state that Tamil, considered to be the oldest language in the world was given to Agastya by Lord Muruga[1].

This transmission of the language became the basis for Agattiyam, one of the first treatises on grammar in this language authored by Sage Agastya. It set the foundation for the incredible plethora of literature that was being produced in the area. Even though Agattiyam has not survived, the oldest surviving Tamil grammar Tolkappiyam refers to the first ever compilation of the Agattiyam.

According to historical references, the book Agattiyam was featured in the first Sangam[2]. These were literary conventions mainly comprising of poetic renderings of the history of the ancient kings of Tamil region. The Sangam or convention enabled litterateurs to gather and share poetic renderings that were discussed, compiled, and recorded. These are said to have been held in southern India, in the historical kingdom belonging to the Pandyan dynasty.

The Pandyan kings were known for promoting art and literature and hence it is only natural that these great conventions received their patronage. It is a popular belief that it was Agastya who convened the first ever Tamil Sangam. These are extant texts that have chronicled the kings and their history that contain archeological evidence to this effect.

While not much remains of the first two sangams or literary gatherings, extensive literature abounds that originated during the third Sangam. Just to give an idea of time - these Sangam’s spanned thousands of years each according to some history and legends. The first two were said to have been held in what is now termed “city under the sea.” The final one was held in the modern city of Madurai.

If you have noticed, we are already talking about a wide time span as far as Agastya is concerned here. Legend here is seen blending with history. The legend is the giving of the Tamil language to Agastya by gods. History is the treatise on grammar and other historical evidence of Agastya’s contribution to this language.

Yet, references to Agastya’s work in literature range from the Vedas that have no historical dates to the historical Pallava dynasty as evidenced by archaeological facts. It is said that Agastya’s work on meditation, medicine, hymns, and astrology - yoga, siddha medicine, mantras[3], and nadi shastra[4] are countless. It is believed that he has authored nearly 1000 books. There seems to be no topic he has not covered. His books cover everything from cosmic knowledge to siddha medicine, the tantras[5], and the mantras.

To name a few: ‘Poorna Nool,’ a book of 200 verses covers the topic of exorcism and prayers. ‘Deekshavedy’ is about magic and enchantment. ‘Vytia Vaghadum Ayrit Arunooru,’ covers medicine. ‘Canda Puranam’ ancient history. ‘Agastya Vyatia Ernoorti Unjie’ is on chemistry. The list is endless. Many of these books are available in the cities of Palani, Thanjavur , Tirupati and Chennai in Southern India.

The great philosophical text Thirumanthiram by Tirumular, references Agsatya as a Sage who came from the north and settled in the south. Another 10^th century treatise on gems and diamonds bears his signature name and is called Agastimata.

Other Sanskrit texts that Agastya is credited with are Agastya Gita and Agastya Samhita which appear in the Varaha and Skanda puranas. Interestingly there is much history and literature connected with Agastya in Buddhism as well.

The first century Buddhist texts refer to Agastya as having learnt Tamil and Sanskrit from Avalokitan, the Buddha to be. References to Agastya is made in texts like Manimekalai and Viracoliyam according to Anne E. Monius, an American Indologist and religious scholar. They refer to him as student of the Buddha to be. Other historians have found mention of Agastya in the Jataka stories[6] as well. He is featured in the Jataka Mala by Aryasura which talks about Buddha’s previous lives. Agastya is mentioned in its 7^th chapter.

The ancient Javanese text Agastya parva treats him as a principal Guru. That is probably why he is also sometimes referred to as Batara Guru. In Javanese, Batara means male deity or defied ancestor. Agastya was very important in the Javanese society because of his strong association with Shaiva Siddanta. In fact, some scholars state that Shiva himself was called Batara Guru by the Javanese. Reference to Agastya as Batara Guru shows the high esteem that the Javanese culture holds this Sage in. Scholars state that the earliest mention of Agastya actually date back to the mid-1^st millennium CE. Texts of the 10^th and 12^th century in Javanese language that reference Agastya still exist.

The most remarkable of the Javenese texts is Agastya Parva, a 11^th century text which is in the form of dialogue between a Guru and disciple. In this instance it is in the form of a dialogue between Agastya and his son Drdhasyu. It is a combination of philosophy, mythology and genealogy attributed to Agastya.

From the references in the puranas and historical texts, Agastya not only appears in texts about him, but as an author of texts as we see here. Of these, the most popular and continuously used work of Agastya are the hymns composed by him.

 

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[1] Muruga: The second son of Lord Shiva, Muruga is revered as Lord of knowledge and valor in Hinduism. He is known by many names – Vadivela, Valli Manavala, Shanmuga, Karthikeya, Kanda etc.

[2]Sangam: Literary conventions of poets and scholars in Tamil, held in southern India over a vast period ranging from 200 BC to 200 AD.

[3] Mantras: Mantras are a set of specific words that are uttered repeatedly. At the basic level, they aid in concentration on the spiritual path. At their most profound sense, they are powerful words or incantations of a small set of words that are said to give great spiritual, mental, and physical powers to the person who chants them with full devotion and with the right intonation.

[4] Nadi Shastra: A system of astrology where thumb prints are used to locate information recorded about individuals on ancient palm leaf manuscripts.

[5] Tantra: A set of spiritual practices that encompass method, study and practice of actions and words that result in beneficial results.

[6] Jataka stories: These were a large body of literature connected to the incarnations of Gautama Buddha before he assumed Buddhahood.