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!
*********************************************************
Anjana and her husband reached Tirumala in the night. Since the horses were tired too, they made them take some rest in a nearby small town, gave them water. Then they let them graze nearby. One of the horses did not go anywhere so they cut some grass and hanged it as a pile in a nearby tree. The soldiers began to watch them for the night whilst a tent was arranged for them to take rest.
When it was midnight, Kali came to the place. He knew Anjana. He also knew that the son from Anjana is going to take over the entire world. He knew that Venkatava will bless them for a child, whose name will be Hanuman. If Hanuman is born, Venkatava’s glory will spread all the worlds, thereby hindering every activity he is planning to do. He therefore decided that they should not have the darshan of Lord Narayana. He thought of various means and then decided that he will appear as Venkatava himself and drive them back. He did not waste any time in taking action. He stood as Him, before Anjana couple.
Anjana’s joy did not know any bounds. They fell at His feet saying, “It is our blessing that you appeared before us yourself.”
“What do you want? Tell me and I shall fix it.” – said Kali, in disguise of the Lord.
“We are yearning for a child as you know Lord.”
“That’s all right? Are you going all the way to Tirumala for this simple request? You don’t have to go there to have my darshan. I have given it to you right here and am blessing you for a child as well. But…” – dragged Kali.
“What Swami?” – Anjana was worried.
“Putra-Kameshti yagna should be done for two years, that too by Narada and Brahma. They won’t accept this that easily. That’s the problem.” – said Kali.
“Venkatava himself says this? The moment you blessed us with your words, we think that we are indeed blessed with a child. Why then a yagna, that too with the help of Narada and Brahma. I don’t quite understand.” – said Anjana’s husband.
“Fair enough. Let it not be Narada or Brahma. Let it be done on a Ashtami day with the help of Badra Kaali.”
“What?!” – screamed the couple at the same time.
“Are we talking to Venkatava himself? We never heard of a Putra Kameshti yagna done by Kaali Devi? How come Tirumaal say such a word?” – Anjana asked, terrified.
Kali did not expect this question.
“Alright alright. There need not be a yagna done with Badra Kaali. You don’t have to go to Tirumala. Just pray from here. The Kali Purusha himself will bestow all the blessings you need. Is it enough?” – asked Kali who was still disguising as the Lord Himself.
Anjana felt the conversation to be irrelevant and she infact started suspecting the form which stood before them. She began to pray earnestly to the Lord.
“O Paranthama! I came here seeking your blessings. Please do not test me and my husband now. Please bless me with a son.” – she went deep in to her prayers, sincerely. Won’t the Lord hear it? He did, and understood that Kali is in to something. The next moment…
A circle of fire surrounded the couple with a divine voice…
“O Anjana couple! Fear not! This is the play of Kali. He is distracting you in my form. Do not trust his words. Me and my Sudarshana Chakra will take care of him.”
The moment they heard it, they were prepared for the next set of action. Within then, the circle of fire surrounded the tent, the soldiers and the horses. Kali was exposed. He ran away.
“Thank God! We are saved.” – said Anjana. They became grateful on the mercy shown by the Lord. They both chanted “Venkatanatha Govinda” right from the bottom of their hearts.
“Kali won’t come near you. Your Tirumala pilgrimage will be successful. Due to your past lives’ merits, a beautiful male child will be born to you.” – the divine voice said again.
“If such a child is born, then let it be called as your own child O Lord, though he will be called as the son of Anjana. Let him grow in your holy feet.” – Anaja said pleasingly. Though Anjana’s husband did not like it much, he got angry in fact. He moved from that place at once. Anjana was grateful as to what she said only to find her husband missing. She asked the soldiers to look for them. When they couldn’t find him either, she began to pray to the Lord again who said:
“Do not worry. He won’t leave you. But he is upset about the promise you made for he wanted to raise the boy himself and not as Venkatava’s son. Now Vayu is consoling him near the stream. Go there and bring your husband here.” – the Lord showed her the way. A vision she saw there gave her goose bumps.
Varuna, Vayu, 18 Siddhas, The Holy Trinity all were seated where her husband was giving a male child to Vayu with Agni as the shakshi (agni is considered a witness in any holy practices in Sanatana Dharma. Hence the term ‘agni-shakshi’) as if giving an adoption.
She could not believe this vision whether it is true or not. She touched her belly to see if she feels anything. As this vision continued to appear within her mind again and again, Anjana thought, I haven’t even got pregnant, how is my husband giving a child as adoption, she thought and fell down unconscious.
~ to be continued…!
Featured image courtesy: Pritam