Chapter 6: The Immortality
Breathing stops on seeing the lamp within.
Translation
Lamp that sprung out, in the flow, of the source
Remain seeking that within, for four hours
Can become and live young; can become the supreme eternal light
It's true, as stated by the mother and the great grand guru who lived on poison.
—Siddhar Sivavakkiyar Song (068)
The
moon was soaring up in the skies. Till date, those dark clouds never stopped
their futile attempts in stealing the moon, but every time they do so, the moon’s
shimmering brightness raced across and tore their dark faces apart, revealing its
whereabouts in all its glory. Though perseverance exhibited by these dark
clouds is an exemplary quality, by nature, the intention has been tainted with
debauchery, so even a good quality with a bad intention must be openly
discouraged. What odds may? Still, the triumph of the moon continues, it has
never failed, not even once in the whole of the history, but there were, a few
momentary occasions where the dark clouds seemed to have achieved their
objective and we humans too have wondered ‘where the moon is’? Such was the
stealthy occasion, when Adhavan looked up at the skies and didn’t find the moon;
he knew, it is not a new moon day. The fires kept leaping up from Macham’s
torch, the smoke trailed along, trying to reach the skies, threatening to taint
it, but it pervaded and disappeared even before it could reach the treetops, in
that empty space, from nowhere, the moon appeared again, Adhavan was happy like
an innocent child to see the moon back, shining in the skies.
The uphill journey has ended,
they felt like they were walking on the plains again. The land stretched wide, giving
way to a beautiful spread of woods, softened by the pellucid cool moonlight
rays. Macham stopped before a small gray colored mount, sheltered by a hut,
open on all four sides. He walked towards the mount; threw his staff over the hut; stooped; touched the gray
soil; smeared it all over his bare chest; closed his eyes; took a deep breath; stood
there silently for a few moments. The wild trees around, started swaying back
and forth slowly but rhythmically; the leaves shivered resonantly as though
they were shook repeatedly by an unseen hand; the magnitude of the trembling
increased with every passing moment; a massive current of wind, lurched forward
towards them and whirled around the pack incessantly for a couple of minutes.
The chillness touched their bones and a sweet fragrance of fresh sandalwood
paste filled their lungs. It elevated their moods, urging them instantly, to
mix and merge with the omnipresent divinity, their heart beats increased in
multitude and it gave them all a sensuous divine feeling. Especially, Adhavan’s
heart throbbed back and forth in joy. When his heart beat increased, something
inside his heart was trying to leap outside, he tried to hold his chest together,
but uncontrollable spasms of joy drove him mad and threw his heart into
electrified convulses, he was not able to stand it anymore, his knees melted, his
bones shuddered, he shivered profusely, the last fiery forceful hiss of the
breeze, literally threw his heart out and he saw a glorious, dazzling,
brilliant, ecstatic light, a foot right above the mound. The brilliance of the light
was irrefutably magnanimous and it would have easily surpassed a count of a thousand
suns bundled together, right before him.
Macham resumed his steady walk
and they all followed him. Adhavan was very curious about the mount and the spiritual
experiences he had there, he asked Sarutha, “What is it?” and she softly
replied,
“It is the samadhi of a very old lady, who used to roam around these
hills, stark naked, unaware of time and space. She was in these hills, long
before Macham arrived here. She had the habit of applying ash all over her body
and rest in deep samadhi for a stretch of weeks together. As days passed by,
the lapse started increasing, she started spending months in Samadhi and it
happened such that, on a particular full moon day she visited Macham in a
trance and told him that, the time has come for her to shred her immortal body.
She requested him to bury her with the ash made of sandalwood and erect a small mount over it. She had showed him the spot, exactly where the mount is
now. Macham, as bid by her, came to the hills, with a group of tribal men and did
the burial solemnly. She had walked in this world for more than thousand and five
hundred years and was much revered by many siddhars alike, they all paid tribute to this old lady and took part in her last rites. It was said, that even
the great four who presented themselves during this ceremony shoved a
handful of ash into her pit.”
Unconvinced about this need for
living such a long life, that too after becoming an immortal, Adhavan queried,
“Why did she have to live for
1500 years? What is the need behind it? Why was she so lusty for living so long,
that too after experiencing such prolonged samadhis?”
The question just spurted out of
him and he knew he had asked a wrong sensitive question. Sarutha was deeply shocked,
but smiling, she said in simple words,
“She was in love with God. She craved and lusted for him, with all her
mind, body and soul. She ached and desired for him, only for him, single
pointedly throughout her life, there wasn't anything else that counted much for
her. She wasn't satiated with whatever divine experiences she was blessed with,
never felt complete, not even a day, she kept grudging on small, small, shortcomings
that actually hindered her from experiencing God in totality, with each passing
day the list kept growing and she largely kept demanding more and more, for such
divine experiences. That, innate, incomparable, overwhelming love, for all
elusive, all pervasive, God, along with that unquenchable thirst for soul
satisfying experiences, drove her completely insane and God, wholeheartedly bequeathed
her with a healthy, indisputable 1500 years of impeccable life, purely for
experiencing him unperturbed.”
Everytime Sarutha used the word God,
Adhavan looked at Macham. Sarutha understood it and replied,
“You
can use the word ‘God’ with me, if it is easier that way, for you to talk about
spirituality. I assure you, he won't mind as long as the word God doesn’t pose
any threat to the sacred truth of the matter, as well as the self realization
of the same. Many a times, it is our dogma that stops us from getting anywhere
near God, rather it lets us indulge in nugatory talks and use his name in all trivial
matters. For this reason, he abstains himself from using the word ‘God’. The
mind is cunning enough to portray a false image for a given name if the right
image is not shown to it. That way it is easy for a reason pursuing, logical mind
to easily comprehend the subject incorrectly, but for the sake of this scrupulous
comprehension, we can’t molester God and use his name in vain. God, as a matter of fact, is
not for ones comprehension, rather it is about experiencing it and
dwelling on such life time experiences.”
Relieved a bit, Adhavan smiled at
her and Sarutha continued,
“Only human births have the innate ability to sense and feel God, be one
with him and become one of his walking forms, inhabiting this earth. If I had
that thing in me, I would have asked for another 3000 years for the sheer purpose
of merging and being one with him, would have ruthlessly pursued it every
moment of my life.”
Adhavan, knew that he is being mocked
at, ruefully said in soft whispers but sternly,
“Enough and no more, I completely
accept and acknowledge her genuine desire for being one with God.”
Both Sarutha and Adhavan knew they
were going to have happy, unforgettable, fruitful days together. She knew in her
heart, that this conversation is all Macham’s doing. She looked at Mathivathani
and Killivalavan, they are the ones Sarutha generally chose, on any particular spiritual
errand and they were enjoying this friendly tit for tat conversation more than
her. Happily the pack, moved along, following Macham.
Much intrigued by the discourse,
Adhavan posed dozen more questions,
“How was she buried?
Who were the great four?
Why were they considered
auspicious?
Is her spirit still here, in this
forest?
Have you met her, personally?
How old was Macham when he buried
her?”
Sarutha interrupted and said,
“You are asking me questions much faster than the beat of your heart. You
should give me some time to take them all in better one by one. Ok, Let me tell
you all about it, still if you find it inadequate, you can fire another round
of questions?”
Adhavan happily nodded and Sarutha
continued,
“Her name is Vipuruthi Ammal, a slender, moon-faced, eight foot lady of mild
sandalwood complexion, dark deep set eyes and flowing hair that swept the
grounds naturally; dancing to the fine struck chords of the whistling breeze. Her
Vajra Thegam gave her a lustrous, metal impenetrable skin that protected her
from all natural deteriorations. She lived on wild fruits, fresh water and a
few herbs. Many a times, she allowed herself, to heartily enjoy fresh milk, roasted
groundnuts and purified honey, brought by the tribe as an expression of their unbounded
love and deep respect for her. She was also, very particularly known for drinking
gallons of water between her long samadhis, owing to the dosage of kayakalpam herbal
intake, that prevented her from ageing; kept up her body vigor; warded off
infections; balanced her breathing cycle. You know, continuous intake of them also
gives you a definite body odor that wards off insects, reptiles as well as few
mammals. This secretly guarded formulation was specifically prepared for her,
by the Siddhar, with the White Elephant, well known for his authority over
Siddha Vaithiyam, when she was laid in heaps before him; infected by the fungus;
bitten by wild cats; blood and tissues sucked away by the parasitic worms. She
didn’t have a Guru and no one had initiated her into spiritual life, but she
chose a life of a recluse on her own after becoming a widow at a very young age.
She practiced austerity very strictly in a hill nearby her village. She forbade
herself from seeing any male figure, including her own father. To her grave disappointment,
her hardships and strict penance all went in vain, she never experienced God,
but it earned a lot of respect from Siddhars, especially, the one with Tiger paws.
He appeared to one of his disciples in trance, briefed him about Vipuruthi
Ammal and ordered him to save her from all her self-inflicted perils.”
“The
same day Garuda Venthar, started his journey. Next day, during sunrise, he found
her on a hill unattended to. Caring least about her celibacy and widowhood, he tore
off the saffron veil that covered her cave; went straight into it; eased her
aura; touched her gently on her forehead, in subtle movements, with his flute. A
warm current entered her through his flute, she got exploded into her first Samadhi,
she writhed under its divine bliss. He studied her very carefully. She was in such
a wretched condition. Her body was drenched with her own feces, blood and urine.
She was plagued by venomous bites all over and worms protruded through her raw
wounds. Her limbs and arms failed her, she could not even move an inch forward.
The stench was unbearable and every moment she spent there she was vulnerably close
to the open jaws of the death.”
“Courageous
by nature, he carried her on his shoulders, throughout the day without much of a
rest. When he reached his village, he walked, head held high, among the evil gossiping
villagers; caring least about their running commentaries. Few of them closed their
doors and windows, trying to protect themselves from an epidemic that has vehemently
entered their streets by sheer brutal force. Some of them spat hard on him for committing
such an act of utmost obscenity in the public. He didn’t move a bit, neither was
his heart. Carrying a bed ridden widow on one’s shoulders was despicable and considered
to be a grave mortal sin, undeniably for the just reason, she was still young
and she had a pair of breasts and female genital attached to the remnants of her
fragile decaying body. He was happy that he despised this society that looked
at everything with a sexual twist to it, sex was their soul, and their lives were
intricately woven around it.”
“He
took her to his blessed wife, well known for her devotion to her husband, hospitality,
care and benevolence. They together treated her with all what they had. Fortunately,
throughout all those difficult, painful days, she was in a trance, she never
opened her eyes. It really helped, as she will not realize the great contortion
of pains her body was going through else she would have cried her life out,
hampering even the slightest chance of any little improvement. They knew, she
was ailing slowly and the couples were very sure of breathing life into her,
but to give her a good shape and much needed vitality, they would need the expertise
of the great ones. That morning after performing his morning rituals, he prayed
to his Guru and sought his help, the same day noon, he appeared to him in a
trance and said, ‘Leave this night, before the Sunrise, Siddhar with the White Elephant,
will be waiting for you along with his disciples in the valleys of the Kurumbi
Hills, from there, she will be his responsibility. You, your family and your
disciples should stay with him for many more years to come. This place is no
good for you anymore.’”
“As bid by his Guru, he fled the village with his group, well before the
sunrise, walked them all safely for seven days and seven nights to Kurumbi
Hills. For the sake of saving one woman with extraordinary spiritual
inclination, he, his wife, their sons, grandsons, granddaughters, seven
disciples and their families all exiled with meager holdings they can grab on during
their rush flight. They all met the aforesaid Siddhar and his disciples in the valley
of Kurumbi hills. He
adorned Garuda Venthar with a garland made of Ylang ylang vine, Javadhu and Marjoram,
both of them had striking resemblance, especially, their athletic frame, skin
with a golden tint, shapely chin, high forehead and charismatic face.
They hugged one another and eyed their similarities. Siddhar then took them all
to a clear pond. The group washed themselves and rested a while under the
shades of neem trees. Siddhar and his disciples started studying Vipuruthi
Ammal methodically. After a thorough study he turned and appreciated Garuda
Venthar, ‘You have not only saved her, but have initiated her into the realms of spiritual life. On my part, let me humbly help her to fly these woods and teach her
spirit, to soar pass the heavens.’”
“He
took them all to his humble residence, where one can see only herbs and
kuligais, whichever way they turned around. Garuda Venthar, being a learnt
scholar, was requested to inscribe all of the Siddhars work, mostly in palm
leaves, some in earthen mud and few in metal forgings. He inscribed not only
his, but most of other siddhars work too and even got lots of chances to
inscribe many important works of the great four. It was said that he inscribed
some of the deepest unrevealed secrets that had elusive codes about creating a
new independent world similar to the existing one. He was well respected among them
and for Vipuruthi Ammal, it was the start of her happy days, she was completely
healed, she was given a formulation for Vajra Thegam, to help her satisfy her
spiritual yearnings, she religiously adhered to it and transformed her body fit
for life of a recluse in a deep forest. One fine day, on seeing her deep spiritual
inclinations and innate divine urges, Siddhar bestowed on her, willingly, two
of the ashtama siddhis, Lagima and Vasithuvam. Then he asked her to take abode
in the Laughing hills and continue with her unending spiritual quests. She fell
to her knees and kissed the land before his foot. Tears welled out of her eyes.
She went running to Garuda Venthar, prostrated before him and his wife. They
blessed her and said together, ‘Let you have the blessing of our Guru.’
She bid adieu to everyone there and came to the Laughing Hills, empty handed
but full of incomparable richness. The first count of her 1500 years started
from the Laughing Hills.”
“From
then, every time the tribes had a glimpse of her, she was either seen in the
tiger caves, leaning on the wall; her body cold as stone; her eyes hooked to
the heavens, completely oblivious to the surroundings; her arms and legs
tightly wrapped around her in a very complex, delicate pattern; her dark, thick,
shining hair covering her torso well or seen near the ponds, feeding the
squirrels and rabbits with nuts and roots. Some of them have even spotted her
herding group of tigers in lonely woods beyond the laughing hills.”
Throughout the conversation, a sweet
aroma of freshly grained Sandalwood filled all their lungs. It simply meant Vipuruthi
Ammal had been walking along with them, listening to all their conversations. Sarutha
quizzically looked at Adhavan, wondering what made her come all the way. His gaze
was fixed on the empty space before him. Though he was in half-trance, he
listened to the homilies intently, without interfering and was taking in
everything that was being said to him. When her eyes roved around, she saw her,
Vipuruthi Ammal, walking humbly, heads down, a few paces behind Adhavan. That
is the first time Sarutha had seen her. A breathtaking vision shook her. She
stood still for a moment, her jaws dropped wide, she finally realized, who
Adhavan was and what his purpose is? She would have immediately prostrated before
him but that would have made him very uncomfortable and their relationship would
have ceased to be the sweetest way it is blossoming to be.
The momentary silence disturbed
Adhavan, he said, “Sarutha, you have not answered all my questions.”
Smilingly she replied, “Yes, my lord, will answer all your
questions on our way back home.”
They both laughed together.
After almost an hour’s walk, the
spread converged and the group came to a halt. There was a lonely withered tree,
bent towards its left; peeping down at the cliff below. The gushing wind bent
the tree further. Adhavan was watching it very closely, the thrust increased
further, he was expecting the stem to break away at any moment, rather it swayed
back to its original, God patented, ambiguous crooked shape. That was the only
tree he saw in the woods, without leaves on it, beneath the tree, there were a few
stones, half-a-feet high, strewn around in a playful manner, their edges were
smooth and soft owing to their old age. Adhavan felt magnetically pulled
towards the tree, he had a sudden impulse to go and sit on one of those stones
and watch down at the cliff below, for a class of heavenly moon lit breathtaking
view.
Macham waved at Adhavan, when he
got close to him, he said, “the path is
not for trespassing” saying that, he turned to his right, using his staff,
shoved away gently the layers of the creepers hanging from a very large tree,
that exposed a well manicured, narrow pathway, brightly lit by the moon,
guarded by the shrubs and hovering large sized trees, whose trunks were
enormous enough to hide behind it, a bunch of twenty men, standing side by side,
at ease. Macham walked in front, followed by the pack. Adhavan leaned forward;
touched the soil; stood erect; smelled it; kissed the soil on his index finger gracefully
with genuine humbleness. He kept staring at the long, straight unending pathway
that stretched before him. Though his eyes were wide open, he lost his senses
and a divine vision took hold of him. Inwardly, he saw the narrow path and dark
green luster on either side. It was a pleasant, sunlit evening. A seven foot
old man, older than the oldest stone out there stood erect at the end of the
pathway, his slanting eyes shone brightly, it had a genuine bluish tint to it, he
was fair, fairer than the fairest frost, especially, his hair and beard were
fairer than him and they danced to the beat of the wind, sweeping off the
ground around him in continuous wavy motions. He was able to see only his handsome
face, His smile was heavenly and welcoming. Adhavan was stoned by this divine
insight. Sarutha tapped him slightly, there wasn't any response. Knowing that
he is having an insight, she wasn't sure, if she has to wait or shake him off
from the trance.
(To be continued...)
Written on Dates: 03/08/2015; 03/09/2015; 03/10/2015; 03/11/2015; 03/12/2015;
03/13/2015
Chapter 1 The Realization of the Vocation
Chapter 2 The First Glimpse of the Third Eye
Chapter 3 The Complete Surrender
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