A Sacred Statue Reaches Homes of Devotees

The statue found in early 1970's

                                            A prototype of the statue being carved and distributed in 2026
 

It was in the early 1970's that I found a tiny statue of Sage Agastya lying at our door step in Madikeri, Karnataka. It is this sacred statue that began the sacred journey of Agasthiyar Vazhipaadu for Gajaraj Swamigal. 

A Sacred Instruction:

During a discourse on November 19, 2002, Sage Agastya explained how the sacred statue had arrived at Gajaraj Swamigal's doorstep. "Now I will tell you the significance of my arrival in the form of a small figurine in Madikeri[1] at your doorstep 30 years ago.

This figurine was carved by one of my devotees who lived around 200 years ago. He was a Brahmin priest who was dressed simply in a white dhoti. His little hut was in the midst of a forest near a stream. In the final stages of his life when he was around 50 years of age, he took this figurine that he had been worshiping all his life, and with reverence let it flow in the stream.

Being a light object, the figurine did not sink. It was washed ashore and lay concealed in a small bush all these days. Why do you think this little piece of wood did not succumb to the actions of the elements? It was because it was sacred. Otherwise, like any other wood it would have been eaten away by worms and insects.

The figurine waited there for a long time until you were searching for a guru. You were looking to be initiated by a proper guru. Why was it that you did not accept many of the gurus that you met? It was because you were with me in your previous birth.

It had already been destined that you would get connected to me through this figurine. Otherwise, how do you think you would have recollected your association with me? How do you think the figurine reached your doorsteps at the very time Adi Parashakti was blessing you with divine power to heal your wife[2]? There is a relationship between your ancestral Goddess Karumaari Amman and me, your Kulaguru[3]."

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[1] Madikeri: A small hill town in the district of Coorg in Southern India known for its lush forest and undulating hills.

[2] The Sage is referring to a miraculous healing of Vijayalakshmi, details of which are narrated in the book ‘Agastya’s Disciple: Firsthand Chronicles of an Extraordinary Life.’

[3] Kulaguru: Preceptor of several generations of the family.

He then told Gajaraj Swamigal, "I want you to carve a few more figurines of me in the same size as this one".

Gajaraj Swamigal never fulfilled this direction since the giving of the Vazhipaadu and all the other incidents surrounding it including the arrival of many devotees, Satsang's and pilgrimages took up most of his time. Just as many of these discourses seem to touch a reader and feels like the message is meant for them, it is possible that this direction was given with the full knowledge of the great Sage that someone who is already chosen, will read this and realize that they are meant to carry out this sacred task. 

When I wrote the above in the book which was released in 2025, I did not realize that it would come to fruition and within a year! I was pleasantly surprised when Mehul Dhar of UAE contacted me saying he would like to fulfil the task! He and Jai Sri, another blessed soul, located a sculptor in India. James Gunter Thomas of UK, helped create the prototype image using the original statue I had found. Soon, 50 statues were commissioned by this blessed brother and sister. 

Funds began pouring in to assist with the shipping of the statues to all those who helped with Agasthiyar Vazhipaadu work. 

Once the first set of statues were carved and ready, brother Muralidhar Adamane and wife Gayathri Kulamarva who have become an important part of Appa’s work, drove all the way to Thiruvallur in Tamilnadu where the idols were sculpted. 

Our original plan was to do a pooja for the idols before distributing in one of the devotee's homes. However, Sage Agastya ensured that these sacred idols infused with a special energy, would be blessed by none other than Lord Ganesha! 

After picking up the idols from the sculptor, brother Murali and his wife Gayathri were guided to take the blessings of Lord Ganesha at the three thousand year old temple at Kanipakam. Sage Agastya then worked through Gayathri Maa, who insisted that she wanted the statue meant for her to be sent to her in time for the installation of Nataraja statue at her ashram in Thiruvannamalai. While we were wondering how to reach the statutes to her in two days, Ramesh Sargam, volunteered to help. This blessed soul who began helping with Vazhipaadu long before I began translating the discourses, carried the sacred statues himself in time for the sacred pooja! 

Since then, these idols have travelled around the world, carried by a network of devotees, taking them to individuals who had helped with Vazhipaadu. 

The sacred journey of the idols

Sister Jai Sri : We are deeply grateful to you sister ⁨Anuradha Gajaraj-Lopez⁩ and everyone involved in this sacred project. As you said, the way it was carved, traveled, and finally reached the longing devotees is truly miraculous. From your book onward, many people were involved. Brother Mehul read it and discussed it with me; I then spoke to nearly 10–20 woodwork artisans. Finally, I reached a kind and patient person who made it exactly according to our wishes, and today it is in Abhishek.

The way Agastya’s energy traveled and blessed each and every person involved is truly adorable and divine. It has been a great spiritual experience for all of us. We are profoundly grateful to the higher spiritual energies.

We still can’t believe this. The fact that He used us as an instrument to accomplish something meant for Him gives us immense happiness. This doesn’t feel like ordinary joy to me—it feels like a deep inner peace, a profound soul satisfaction. Thank you.

Brother Muralidhar Adamane shares : Kudos to both of you brother ⁨Mehul Dhar and sister ⁨Jai⁩ Sri for the diligence that you put in identifying and choosing Lokesh ji, the woodwork artisan, for this work. We experienced his professionalism and humble nature the moment we spoke to him after arriving at the workshop.

It is a very ordinary workshop that I would not have given a second thought about or considered on any given day. I, in fact, thought for a moment, what kind of idols will we get from this non-descript workshop and how long would we have to wait before starting our return drive to Bengaluru. It is no wonder that it is said that looks are deceptive and all that is white is not milk.

When we arrived at the workshop earlier by 12 pm instead of 2 pm, we saw few artisans at their work. When we introduced ourselves, Lokesh ji stepped forward and told us in a humble and gentle manner that he had said OK for our Saturday drive thinking that we will arrive by 2 pm, showed us the idols that his team were varnishing and then told us about two good restaurants nearby where we could have our lunch while they went about their work. The idols were ready for packing by 2 pm. The idols were simply beautiful. Lokesh ji then showed us two or three other display items. They were divine.

Once again, Kudos to both of you, for the due diligence in choosing the artisan. Lokesh ji explained that fifty percent of the basic work was done by machine and balance fifty per cent of the work was individually handcrafted. I still am unable to fathom how ⁨James Gunter Thomas Wales - UK⁩ recreated the image of the original figurine using AI tools for Lokesh ji and his team to craft the idols. Overall, it was a mind-blowing experience for Gayathri and me on Saturday at the workshop.

Driving to Kanipakam and visiting the temple on the way back was another experience by itself 

Sister Gayathri Kulamarva shares:

One more interesting experience after arriving the spot we didn't see the shop (name board in the main road). That time from one side the strong wood smell was coming. After calling Lokesh ji he told us to come on the same direction which we came.

At the workshop all the people we met are humble and their dedication and earnestness (ಶ್ರದ್ದೆ) while packing the idols or putting it into the car. While explaining their work not only this other art form also.... They are proud of their work.

Brother Ramesh Sargam says:

After all the work were done by so many divine people, finally Appa chose me to do a very simple task. Yes, carry him to Tiruvannamalai from Bangalore. Wow! How much we are all blessed.