The answers of Agastya Muni to the generic questions posted by devotees can be found here. The readers are requested to send their spiritual experiences related to the Siddhas to GnanaBoomi at Gmail dot com. Though the experiences are unique and personal to them, it can shower some light or guidance to those who read them. Thanks!
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When Kali ran away, Varaha and Booma Devi discussed the whole thing with Venkatava where Booma Devi confessed that she pretended as if she was under the spell of Kali only to show that such swaying of mind can happen even to the celestials. Varaha appreciated her for setting the world an example.
As Kali ran away, he decided that his drama won’t tick with the celestials and decided that he has to deal only with the humans. As he proceeded towards the Earth, a voice stopped him. It was Agastya Muni. Kali folded his hands as a reflex on seeing Him. Agastya asked about his motive where he burst out crying:
“Brahma Deva created me for a purpose, but I am not able to do anything towards it. I have been meeting with failures after failures. Can’t you please explain my situation to Venkatava who creates every possible obstacle in my way?” – he cried.
“Kali, the world is going to be under your spell slowly but surely. The people on Earth are going to follow the path of Adharma. Why are you worried?”
“O Maha Muni! If this comes from your mouth, then it will happen for sure. But I am not able to do anything in the presence of Venkatava, you know that very well.”
“Kali, you should know whom to fight with. You are trying to fight with Lord Vishnu himself. It’s natural that your plans are getting defeated.”
“It is true. But I should know what my strengths are. Hence I tried my luck.”
“You are following your purpose of creation. But Venkatava will protect those who surrenders to him. What’s wrong in it?”
“O foremost of Siddhas! I am getting demoralized that I face failures after failures. I even think I should abort this mission.”
“No. Brahma’s purpose of creating you is to divert people towards Adharma, thereby making them realize their purpose of life and search for the Almighty. You should not refrain from your duty.”
“It is easier said than done my Lord. Do you know how much I have to suffer?”
“One cannot decide anything with a temporary situation. The world is going to be in your spell shortly. Then it is up to you and the Lord. What am I going to do in between?” – when Agastya said this, Kali started laughing. When asked for reason, he said that Agastya was encouraging him to do what he was created for, while warning him of the presence of the Lord.
Agastya said: “I will be there where Dharma is. At the same time, you are not my enemy either, if you understand.”
“Thank you O Siddha! I might seek your help in the future. Please do not wash me away in the name of dharma or justice.”
“I think you will not get such a situation. We shall see if it comes.”
Kali bowed down to Agastya and went downhill. As Agastya watched him descend, He spotted the very old Vishnu devotee Narayana. His body showed he had crossed a hundred years but his eyes had an unquenchable fire. He wore the Vaishnava symbols and barely could walk. He would walk a step, then sit down, stand up with the help of the walking stick while constantly chanting ‘Narayana or Govinda’ from the bottom of his heart. Agastya himself felt like folding His hands on seeing such a devotee. Narayana was carrying the pooja items in a small bag on his head. Agastya felt that He had to help him somehow.
He changed himself looking like a 22 year old, held the old man’s hand and walked uphill. Narayana asked:
“Who are you boy? I am surprised you volunteered to help me?”
“I am the devotee of devotees.”
“Oh, so you don’t have a name given by your parents.”
“For sure, they called me “Agathi”
The wise man laughed within.
“You said Agathi, which is an incomplete word. But you are not an ordinary person.”
“O Sire, I am not anything that you think but a very ordinary person. I don’t have the knowledge in Tamil as much as you.”
“Ok, what do you do for living?”
“I just help people who climb up the mountain.”
“Oh I am sad. In that way, I don’t have any gold to give you.”
“I don’t need them.”
“I don’t have silver either.”
“It’s alright.”
“Then how can I return the favour I am receiving from you?”
“Sir. Please do not talk so. I am receiving a great favour myself by helping such great devotees like you. What else do I need?”
“I have a doubt.” – said Narayana, the old man.
“Please..”
“You look very young. But your actions, words seem like that of a wise Maharishi. Who are you truly?”
“I am just an ordinary person.” – said Agathi and caught hold of the old man who seemed like falling down. Right then the Salagrama stone he had kept in the bag fell down. There appeared a stream and the Salagrama was seen inside the water.