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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Agastya began to address those who assembled and were eagerly waiting to know about the ‘conversation’ happened between him and the Lord.
“O Maha Muni, the foremost of all Siddhas! Please convey the message to these people here” – said Sriman Narayana. Agastya began:
“Through the grace of Lord Venkatava in Tirumala, a few things are to be carried out immediately as per His orders. In this punya-kshethra, the Lord who has taken the avatar of Srinivasa to subdue Kali’s atrocities and to bless all creations, has decided to honor Garuda who has been serving Him for yugas. He would like to name one of the hills in the name of Garuda, which is the wish of Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma and Deva Rishi Narada as well. This hill will henceforth be called as Garudathri! This auspicious function will happen in a few seconds from now. The Lord has invited you all to partake in it. In continuance to this naming ceremony, grand festivals will happen for the next ten days. Those who will partake in the naming ceremony and the festival for the next ten days will be blessed by Lord Venkatava. I convey this message as per the orders of the Lord.” – said Agastya Muni.
The moment Agastya paused his speech, the sound of clapping hands reached the sky. Everyone bowed down to Lord Narayana. Agastya continued…
“Do you know? Venkatanath will not hurt anyone. In this life which is full of ups and downs, happiness and sorrow, if one surrenders to the Lord with all their heart, He will make their lives better. Those who are here listening to this, I request you to convey this to all those rishi-munis, thavasis, siddhas, bhaktas, everyone so they all can be benefitted by partaking this naming ceremony and festivals.”
The clapping reverberated again to the skies as soon as He paused. Agastya bowed down to Narayana Swamy: “Thanks for blessing me to have this task completed.”
Lord Narayana came forward and embraced Garuda, made him sit on a suitable seat and looked at the munivars around and smiled. They started chanting the vedas as soon as He smiled while Lord Narayana named the hill as Garudathri. Then He blessed those around by raising both His hands. It was an wonderful sight. Then He looked at Agastya and nodded whereupon the foremost Siddha requested everyone to convey the message of “Garudothsava” happening for ten days at Tirumala.
This message reached Adi Sesha as well.
“There is a ceremony praising Garuda, that too for ten days. Everyone from the earth and skies are going to attend it.” – this shaked Sesha very much. He began to worry if he has committed a mistake or that Shanishwara is taking him in a wrong direction. He could not even speak. Shani was worried too, but he could not afford Sesha leaving him. So he came closer and embraced Sesha and began to speak.
“Sesha! It is expected that such things would happen. It is all Narayana’s plot to have you and me separated. Don’t get distracted with all these. This Garuda has cheated you by playing games both sides. You are not like him. You give priority to dignity. Do not worry.”
“I could not bear this, Vishnu is actually insulting me by praising Garuda. He is ruling this place by sitting on me, and He has named my second head in the name of Garuda. How fair is it? Has he ever respected Garuda before?” – said Sesha.
“Alright. What are you going to do about it?”
“Brother! I came here in complete trust. You have to help me. I cannot think straight.” – said Sesha.
“Sesha! Only now we should not lose hope. We have been giving tests to others but this is our testing time and none other than Venkatava is testing us.”
“I understand it completely and I know it already. What is the use in telling me something which I know already? Tell me what we can do.”
“Why are you gasping like this Sesha? I cannot plot anything at this stage. Let us go to Deva Loka and have a hearty drink.”
“What?! Drink?! I haven’t even dreamt of such a thing before. Should I even do this?” – Sesha was furious.
“What’s wrong in it? Only these drinks will encourage us to do what we are about to do. You probably aren’t aware of it.”
“No Swamy, no please! Please do not get me addicted to such habits. If you want, please feel free.”
“You Sesha! You don’t know how to enjoy yourself. I am not going there without you. But we have to stop this festival somehow.”
Sesha was startled at the ferocious tone Shani said this. Kali entered the place right at that time and he appeared happy.
“You have come at the right time Kali.” – said Shani.
“When have I entered in the wrong time?” – laughed Kali, seated next to them.
“I know everything. I have made arrangements to stop that ceremony. First of all, I mixed poison in all the waters of the earth thereby preventing those from Earth attending this festival.”
“Very well done!”
“Then I blocked the pathway with huge rocks so no one can climb up Tirumala.”
“Very good, very good!”
“Third, I have spread deadly thorns on top of the rocks and around so no one crosses them. But I could not do just one thing which I thought of getting done through Sesha. So I hastily came here.”
“What should Sesha do?”
“He should make a whole lot of serpents slither around. Their hissing should mix in the air causing giddiness to even those away from 100 Kadha distance.” – said Kali.
Sesha was righteous as always, though he was affected by the recent happenings. He said: “How unfair is it? The conflict is between us and Venkatava. Why should innocent Gnani’s, people should get affected? This is not as per Dharma.”
Kali and Shani did not expect this at all. There was a brief silence.
“Sesha, are you talking with your senses? Think well. Even I don’t have any conflicts or peace with Tirumalaivasa. I am doing this for your welfare. Think about it.” – said Kali.
“Sesha, if you do not like these arrangements, go at once to Narayana’s side. But if they insult you there and drive you away, do not return here. That’s all I would say!” – Shani tried scaring Sesha. Sesha felt it is better to remain with them than going to Narayana and potentially getting insulted. He agreed to the plan. The next second…
Thousands of poisonous snakes started slithering around Tirumala. As they could fly, they flew here and there and spat poison. The rishi-muni’s staying at the base of Koneri could see these numerous snakes flying around. The poisonous air they spread started making people feel giddy and fell unconscious. The rishi-muni found the source of these poisonous air and started performing yagnas to prevent them from spreading. The snakes found these and started attacking them. Shani and Kali enjoyed looking at this but Sesha felt an unknown fear surrounding him.
Right then, something wondrous happened in the sky which terrified Kali and Shani!
Featured image courtesy: Temple Purohit
~ to be continued…!