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)