KINGDOM OF SITHTHARS

At the time the Siththars were living, they were staying away from the common people. Their thoughts are liberal which is helpful even till today. We can show many evidences for that in their songs.

Whatever it is, we can clearly understand that the Siththars have created a very strong bond among themselves. The evidences for this are that one Siththar shares about the greatness of the other or recognizes him. We can realize this from the Siththars who were living on the Sathuragiri Mountain who has always shared the good and greatness of the other Siththars living there. Along with this we can also realize that they did not want their researches to reach to people apart from themselves.

Though they say that the reason behind hiding them is to prevent it from reaching the hands of the bad people, I feel there is some other strong reason also. It might also be an opinion that their researches should not reach to the people who did not recognize them. They have told about the various herbs present in the Sathuragiri Mountain. Along with that they have also told that in future, people will come in search of those herbs. As an evidence to this I shall share two songs of Agathiyar.

This song is taken from the book “Agathiyar 12000” where he says the following song to his disciple Pulathiyar.

"சித்தான சித்துமுனி சொரூபரப்பா

Siththaana siththumuni soroorappa

யின்னமுண்டு உரைப்போம் கேளு

yinnamundu uraippoam kaelu

முத்தான புலத்தியனே முடிமன்னா

muththaana Pulathiyanae mudimannaa

மூவுலகில் என்றுமுண்டு சித்தர்வர்க்கம்

moovulagil enrumundu siththarvarkkam

வெத்தியுள்ள சதுரகிரி வடபாகத்தில்

veththiyulla sathugiri vadapaagaththil

என்றுமிருப்பார் ரனேகம்பேர் நாதர்தாமும்

enrumiruppaar ranaegam paer naatharthaamum

பத்தியுடன் நாதாக்கள் தன்னைக்காண

paththiyudan naathaakka thannaikkaana

பாருலகில் வெகுமாண்பர் போவார்பாரே

paarulakil vegumaanbar poavaarpaarae"

- அகத்தியர் (Agathiyar)

"போவாரே அம்மலையின் அதிசயங்கள்

poavaarae ammaaiyin athisayangal

கோடான கோடிமூலி யனேகமுண்ண்டே

koadaana koadimooli yanaemundae

யனைத்தையுமேய ழித்திடவே முனைவர்

yanaiththaiyumaeya zhiththidavae munaivar

மானமுடன் வையகத்தில் மூலிவாழ

maanamudan vaiyagaththil moolivaazha

நலமுடனே வெகுகாலம் காக்கவேண்டி

nalamudanae vegukaalam kaakkavaendi

நலமுடனே வெகுகால மிருந்துகொண்டு

nalamudanae vegukaaa mirunthukondu

கோடியாம் மாண்பருக்கு கண்ணில்காணா

koadiyaam maanbarukku kannilkaanaa

குணமுடனே மறைத்தார்கள் நாதாக்கள்தானே

Kunamudanae maraiththaarkal naathaakkalthaanae”

- அகத்தியர் (Agathiyar)

The Siththars are immortal, they can always be seen in the northern side of the Sathuragiri Mountain. People will start visiting the Sathuragiri Mountain to get their blessings. Those people who begin to come will start destroying the wonderful places and the rare herbs. That is the reason why the Siththars have kept the information about these herbs as a secret. Only few herbs that need not be protected are availabe to the people and those which has to be protected are still hidden in the places where these people could not reach.

Today in the Sathuragiri Mountain, this is the situation. As the people are moving around in more number, the forests are being destroyed thereby cutting of these valuable herbs also. But still if we make researches following the instructions of Agathiyar as told in his books, we can know about those herbs.

Agathiyar has also told about the way of identifying these herbs that are hidden. As the length of the post increases, I am not sharing them here.

Original – www.siththarkal.com

Translated by - சந்தியா

We have seen the entire Sathuragiri Mountain in the songs of Korakkar. While seeing the information about the ashrams, we feel that all these must have been functioning only. If the answer is yes, then another question arises if all the Siththars he mentioned lived in the same generation. To get answer to all these questions we need to do more researches.

In the songs of Korakkar he has told about the most ancient Siththar Agathiyar’s Kumbamalai cave and his visit to see Agathiyar. In the same way Agathiyar has also told about the way of seeing Korakkar in Sathuragiri Mountain in his songs. Isn’t it interesting? Not only Agathiyar but Kalanginathar also has told about the way of seeing Korakkar in Sathuragiri Mountain.

First let us see about what Agathiyar told about Korakkar in his book “Agathiyar 12000”.

"பெருமையம் சதுரகிரிக் குள்ளேயப்பா

Perumaiyam sathuragirik kullaeyappaa

பரிவான கோரக்கர் குகையொன்றுண்டு

Parivaana Korakkar kugaiyonrundu

பத்தியுடன் குகைதனிலே பார்க்கும்போது

Paththiyudan kugaithanilae paarkkumpoathu

யென்றுமே கருவானகோரக்கர் அங்கிருப்பார்

Yenrumae karuvaanaKorakkar angiruppaar

தெளிவான காட்சியது யார்காண்பார்

Thelivaana kaatchiyathu yaarkaanbaar

சிற்பரனே புண்ணியர்க்கு கிட்டும்தானே

Sirparanae punniyarkku kittumthaane"

- அகத்தியர் (Agathiyar)

He says that the cave of Korakkar is present in the Sathuragiri Mountain and we can find Korakkar if we see into the cave. He also says that those with pure heart can see Korakkar.

Kaalanginathar in his “Kaalanginathar Gnanaviththu Ragasiyam” book has told about Korakkar and the way of visiting him.

"பார்க்கவே கோரக்கர் குண்டாதோன்றும்

Paarkkavae Korakkar kundaathoanrum

தேரப்பா கஞ்சவுடன் மூலி சேர்ததிற் கடைந்து

Thaerappaa kanjavudan mooli saerthathir kadainthu

சித்தர் முனி ஒவ்வொருவருக்கும் ஈவார்

Siththar muni ovvoruvarukkum eevaar

நேரப்பா அதனருகே குகைதான் உண்டு

Naerappaa athanarugae kugaithaan undu

யென்றும் நிலையாக சிவயோகம் செய்வாரங்கே

Yenrum nilaiyaaga sivayogam seivaarangae

கோரப்பா கோரக்கர் தம்மைக் கண்டு

Koarappaa Korakkar thammaik kandu

கொண்டவனே ஞானாமிர்தம் உண்டோந்தானே

Kondavanae gnanamirtham undoanthaanae"

- காலங்கி நாதர் (Kalanginathar)

In the Sathuragiri mountain there is a pace named Korakkar kundaa* where Korakkar mixed herbs with  kanjaa*. He grinded them and gave to the Siththars. Near to it, his cave is also present. In that cave Korakkar will always be seen in the Sivayoga form. Those who see this will become the one who drank the elixir of wisdom.

Observe that both Agathiyar and Kaalanginathar has told that Korakkar can be seen anytime. The information that these songs give is that anybody who prays to him with pure heart can see him and those who see him will become the one who drank the amritam of perception.

I feel that anybody with the grace of guru, pure heart, eagerness, interest and strivinge can see this great person.

In the next post I shall come up with the details that Siththars told in those days about today’s Sathuragiri Mountain.

*kundam (kundaa) - hollow in the ground (for the sacred fires)
*kanjaa - the leaves and the seed of the Indian hemp

Original – www.siththarkal.com

Translated by சந்தியா

The journey to the Sathuragiri Mountain continues in this post also. The guidelines of the Korakkar are very clear and most useful. These songs make us realize that the Siththars were living far from the common people and living in these places where common people do not enter. Let us start our journey from Danvanthiri’s ashram.

If we come from the north of the Danvanthiri’s ashram, we can find a path from the east direction. In that way we will find another way from the south and walk along it. Towards its north side, we can find a mirage. It is named as ‘yamapura kaanal’. To its south, we will find a path towards east and on walking through it, we will find a white Vinayaka’s temple. From there, to a distance an arrow can travel, we will find a sathumbu tharai. To its south we can find the Rajarishi’s forest and his ashram located within it.

If we walk on the straight north of the ashram, there is way which leads to the east direction. Walk along it for 12 minutes,  we will find a forest with beautiful plants. At the centre of that forest we will find the ashram of Konganavar. On its east side we will find the border stone leading to depth. From there walk towards south for 72 minutes, we will find a thapovanam* which is called as maavootru. If we go north of it, we get the border of Udhayagiri. There we can see the ashram of Udhayagiri Siththar.

From there if we walk along the slope for 12 minutes, we will again reach to the border. To its north we can see the ashram of Pirunjaga muni. Towards the north-east direction of thae ashram, we can find the sanjeevi herb. It seems sanjeevi herb will grow only in marsh land.

If we walk towards the direction upside of this marsh land for a distance an arrow can travel, we can find a rock like an elephant sleeping. If we go towards its south for a distance an arrow can travel, we can find gravel land. If we walk towards the straight west of this gravel land, we can see a mountain stream. If we walk for a distance an arrow can travel, we can find a white Vinayaka. If we go near and see, a rock will  be seen. Yet when seen from far, it looks like lord Vinayaka.

From there if we walk for 24 minutes, we will reach Vaadha maedu. Korakkar says that 18 Siththars has tried the Alchemy in the place Vaadha maedu. I shall share its greatness of the place  in another situation.

On the west of Vaadha maedu, we can find the cave of Gnana Siththar. If we walk for 12 minutes on the north side we find a small pit. If we walk to its west on the way, we can find the Kannimaar temple. To its west we can see the temple of Mahalingam. In the way that goes towards north we can find a river. On its south, we can find two ways diverging and if we choose the west side path it would lead to the place where we began our journey that is near to the Thaanipaarai. If we go to the north side way then we find a pond named ‘Kulippatti Poigai’. On its south we can find the border. Near that we can find a tree name paal pattai.

From that tree, if we walk towards west we can find a rock named thirukkaip paarai at a distance an arrow can travel. To its west there is the ashram of Yacab Siththar. In way that runs along the west of Yacob Siththar’s ashram for 48 minutes, we can find the cave of Kaduveli Siththar. If we cross this we can find a black mirage. If we move without entering into it, we can find the wet ground.

From there if walk towards north for 48 minutes, we can find another mirage named ‘thaedik kaanal’. If we go along the path downwards we can find the cave of Azhukani Siththar. To its south we can find the cave of Sivavakkiyar. This is the only place where we can find the caves of two Siththars closer. From there if we walk towards west we reach to the Brahmagiri border. With this Korakkar finishes the journey of Sathuragiri Mountain.

In the upcoming posts we shall see about the information that is filled and hidden in the Sathuragiri Mountain.

*Thapovanam – forest where ascetics perform penance

Original – www.siththarkal.com

Translated by சந்தியா

The narration about  the path to Sathuragairi told by Korakkar in his books “Korakkar Brahma Gnanam” and “Korakkar Malai Vaagadam” continues in this post  also. I am sharing the information by collecting from the thousands of songs. Hence I request you to understand the effort behind doing this (typing). I have also planned to write a research book in future about the Sathuragiri Mountain. At that time I shall attempt writing with the songs.

Let us kick back our journey from the Agathiyar’s cave.

If we cross the cave and walk towards south, you will get the Muneshwaran border. From there if we walk for 48 minutes along the padivetti rock you will see “Kaatraadi maedai”. On crossing it, we will find kodaikkaran stone, mudangi path and kangana River. From the river, at a distance an arrow can travel, there is a fountain named ‘Kuliraati Poigai’. In the south west of this fountain, there is an ashram of Bogar. In the way that runs along the south, you will find a beautiful flower garden. At the centre of it there is an ashramam of Pusundar.

If we cross the ashramam and walk towards the west for 12 minutes, border of depth and manmalai forest is found. If we go along that way we will find Romarishi forest  and iniside that we will find the Romarishi’s ashramam. On the southern side of this ashram in certain distance we will find Yugimuni forest and inside that we will find the Yugimuni’s ashram. On the south side of this ashram there is a rare kind of tree named ‘saaya virutcham’. The shadow of that tree does not fall on the ground. If walk in the west direction from the ashram, we will find the path that runs along the south. If we walk on that path for 12 minutes, we will find a river. 

On getting down the river and climbing the elevation, we will find the cottages of  Palinjar.  Near to it, we will find Sundara Llingar’s hut and Sundara Lingam’s temple. On the river that comes on the south of the temple, we will find the cave of Sundaraanandhar. From the way that runs along the south, at certain distance Mahalingar temple is seen. Behind this temple only the “Karpaga tharu”, a tree which is considered as a wonder is present. It will be mentioned in the hidden text as “Panju tharu”.

On the top side of this at cetain distance there is a fountain named ‘vattach sunai’. On the way which goes top of this fountain,  we find a stream running after walking for 12 minutes. There is a mirage and under it, a black rock is seen. In certain distance from that rock, we can find a red soil land. In that land we can find the Sanjeevi herb. This herb has also got another name, ‘yamanai venraan’,  which means that it won the Lord Yama. I feel that if we have the grace of guru we can find all these wonders like Karpaga tharu, Sanjeevi herb and all even today.

On the west direction, we can find the fountain named ‘manjal ootru’. On the northern side of the fountain, at a distance an arrow can travel, we can find the sadhambu tharai. And down the way, we find the damp ground in which the ashramam of Azhagaanandhar is seen.  From there if we come towards east we will again reach back to Mahalingar’s temple. From there if we go towards south we can find the Sannasi vanam. From there walking towards its south for 12 minutes,  we can find a stream and sangili rock.

If we cross that and walk for a long distance we will find the Brahma muni’s ashram, which is  surrounded by many trees. If we climb the mountain in the way that runs towards the south of the ashram, we can see the cave of Kalanginathar. In the slope of that cave, at a distance an arrow can travel, there is a fountain named Dasavaedhi which never dries up. You can read about this in my post Dasavaedhi Udhaga Neer. 

In the southern direction of the Kalanginathar’s cave at certain distance we can find the Thapasu cave. If we go in the northern side of the cave again, we will reach to the Mahalingar’s temple. Hence move towards east to find the Kannimaar temple and Palinjar’s hut. From there if we walk for 12 minutes, we can find the Nandheesar forest and his ashram in it.

On the northern side of the ashram there is way. On walking through it, on the east side, another road comes and joins. If we walk along it for 12 minutes, that way will takes us to the Palinjar rock and to its south we can find the ashram of Danvanthiri which is surrounded by many trees and plants.

We have seen the ashrams of Pusundar, Romamarishi, Yugimuni, Sundaraanandhar, Azhagaanandhar, Kalanginathar, Nandheesar and Danvanthiri. I feel we can try to reach these places by following these instructions even today.

The surprises continues.

Original – www.siththarkal.com

Translated by சந்தியா

Korakkar described the journey that began at the thaanippaarai reached the Athiri maharshi’s ashram, Machamuni’s ashram and then brought to his ashram. He has also told about the way of reaching to many other Siththar’s ashram also. We shall continue our journey in this post also as per his narrations.

On the southern side of the Korakkar’s ashram at a certain distance an arrow can travel, there is an herb named “Manjal poothavalai”. In the western side of it, at a distance an arrow can travel, there is a moisture land. From there moving towards north we will find an elevated ground and a stream adjacent to it. Towards the north of the stream we will find a even-surfaced land and a rock next to it.

On the northern side of this stone there is a stream running. On its northern side at a distance an arrow can travel, we can find a herb named “Amuthavalli”. If we walk towards north of this plant, in the way that runs along the east, we will find irattai* lingam says Korakkar. Adjacent to the river which is on the south east of the lingam we can find the ashram of the Ramadevar who is known as Yacob Siththar. Korakkar says that Roma tree and the nagapada aloevera are found around it. Remember about the herbs that I mention in this two paragraphs. I shall share its importance in the later part of this series.

If we walk towards north from the Ramadevar’s ashram, we will find an even-surfaced land on moving towards its east we will reach to the pasukkidai. On crossing that we will find the Navvalootru fountain which will never dry and adjacent to it, a stone will be found. it. He says the snake well is there in the rock. After crossing it on the east at a certain distance we may find slippery rock and a pacharasi maedu* and crossing it we will finf the way to thekkam pannaimalai.

If you walk eastwards along for 24 minutes, there will be small pasukkidai and oppillaa saayai. On crossing that and walking towards east will take you to a jack fruit tree and the Karupanna Swamy temple. I have written about this temple in one of my previous posts. Behind this temple only we can find the thailak kinaru*. It is believed that the thailam used to make alchemy is filled in the well. Those who have got the blessings of Karuppanna swamy only can reach to this well. 

After crossing this powerful temple you will find a river. Inside this river only the Paechipaarai is available. If you climb the elevation on the north side you can find the ashram of sage Durvasa. On the east side of this ashram you can find a white rock and the stream of the Santhana Mahalingam Swamy temple. On crossing it and walking towards east you will find three roads junction. In that if we take the path that runs along south you can find the Sundarar temple. Pray to it and on its southern side we will find Mahalinga temple.

If we walk for certain distance towards the north of the temple through a dense forest, you will find an underground passage. On walking along it for 24 minutes, we can find the Santhana Mahalingam temple. On the north side of this temple, water falls from the Kaalikaanal. Only after taking bath in it only, you must pray to Santhana Mahalingam.

Korakkar says that in this temple there are no poojas done by the human, it is all done only by the sages, saints, monks, and Siththars. In the south west side of this temple there is a cave of Sattai muni. In the south side of this cave in certain distance, white jaumoon - plum tree, and on its left side south side, a sand mountain will be there. On south of that mountain, a rare herb named Vanapirami will be found.

If walk on the east side opposite to the Sattai muni’s cave for 24 minutes, it will take towards the way that runs along the north side. On walking for 48 minutes along that way you will find Kumba Mountain. In the cave near to this mountain only, Agathiyar was living says Korakkar.

I shall continue in the next post.

*irattai - twin

*maedu - an elevated ground

*kinaru - well

Original - www.siththarkal.com

Translated by - சந்தியா

Our journey that began at the foot of the Sathuragiri mountain continues even after the Sundaramahalingar’s temple at the top of the mountain to the entire length and width of the mountian. Anyone who has got strength in mind and body can easily travel along a mountain today. All the arrangements for it are done.

But in the olden days when it was a dense forest there was a chance that any body newly travelling may be lost. To prevent such situations only these kind of route notes must been written. I guess that Korakkar might have shared all these details for the benefit of his followers and disciples.

Previously we have reached till the Athiri maharshi’s ashram and we shall continue our journey from there. If we travel towards the east from the ashram for a while we will  get the path of koanavaasal. After crossing that if we climb for some more distance we find the Pasumidhi rock and to the east of that rock we may find a single stone similar to the shape of Lord Ganesha. Pray to it and travel in the east side for 24 minutes, then on the south side of the path, we can see the Machamuni’s ashram at a distance an arrow can travel.

By walking towards the south of the Machamuni's ashram after a short distance, we may face a 'vellai punal murungai' tree, towards its left we can find a even-surfaced rock. On the south side of the rock, we find a stream running and from there, a kaavi is seen at a distance an arrow can travel.  Below to it, a creeper of wildmelon will be spreaded. If we walk towards the south of that creeper,  we will find a kuruvari aloevera. If we walk straight north from there for certain distance we will find a way on the east side. If we climb that elevated place, we find a region of even-surfaced ground. From there if we walk for 24 minutes towards and see south we can find his ashram says Korakkar.

The interesting fact is that Korakkar did not stay in his ashram. In the northern side of the ashram there is a river and if we go along it and see towards the south, in the slope of the mountain we can see his cave. To the east of it, at the center of the river  we will find a kundaa* where the kanjaa* has been made. To the east of it there is a pond which never dries. What a wondering route map!!

In our journey so far we have seen Athiri maharshi’s ashram, Machumuni’s ashram and the Siththars like Korakkar have spotted places exclusively meant for them. They might have stayed in these ashrams with their disciples. All of them might be the people of their generation or the ashram might be maintained by the disciples came in their line which is the question to be researched.

This journey where we move forward by keeping the short distances, directions, rocks, streams, rivers as hints has got much other information also.

In next post we shall explore and reach to Sundara Mahalingam’s temple.

*murungai - drum-stick

*kundam (kundaa) - hollow in the ground (for the sacred fires)

*kanjaa - the leaves and the seed of the Indian hemp

Original - www.siththarkal.com

Translated by - சந்தியா

We can find the foot of the Sathuragiri mountain at a distance of 6 kilometres from the village Vathrayiruppu located in Virudhunagar district, TamilNadu. We can find many information about the structure of the mountain, the way of reaching it, way of climbing the mountain, places along the path and their greatness in the books of Agathiyar, Bogar, Korakkar, Kaalanginathar.

Kaalanginathar in one of his songs says that the structure of the Sathuragiri mountain will ever change in the way as he mentioned. As a result only we have decided to travel in the way he specified in this post.

The Sathuragiri was surrounded with four mountains as Indiragiri on the east, Varunagiri on the west, Kuberagiri on the north, Yamagiri on the south and at the centre Sivagiri, Vishnugiri, Brahmagiri, Siththagiri are the four mountains located. Sathuram means square in Tamil. This is the reason for the mountain to be named as Sathuragiri which was mentioned in the book, Sathuragiri thalapuranam*.

There are four ways to reach to the Sathuragiri mountain out of which three are difficult and the fourth one is the best way to reach. There is a small water channel running which joins along the river in the south direction. That place is named as thoanip paarai. Kaalanginathar says that it is simpler way to reach to the mountain. The name thoanip paarai has been changed as thaanipaarai as days went passed.

Now let us travel on the mountain. All the following information has been told by Korakkar.

In the thaanipaarai, along the path that runs in the north direction there is a temple of Karuppanna swamy, pray to him and start the journey with his permission says Korakkarar. From there in a short distance away, there is “Kuthirai Kuththi Paarai” and towards north Padivetti Paarai” are located. From there at a distance an arrow can travel, there is a jungle stream flowing. From there on walking for 12 minutes towards north, Kavundinya river will come.

By walking ten feet towards west from this river, we may find the aththi fountain. Athiri maharshi has did his yaagam* in the rock on the north side of this fountain and on the south direction his ashram is located says Korakkar.

I feel that by following the path narrated by the Siththars we can find many rare herbs. I request to share the information if someone have traveled in the directions as said by Korakkar.

Like solving a puzzle slowly there are so many precise informations, which helps even today to climb on this mountain. Korakkar who directed us to the ashram of Athiri maharshi’s ashram, also helps us to reach the Machamuni’s ashram and then to his ashram also. We shall see all those information in the next post.

*thalapuranam - mythological history of  a sacred shrine

*yaagam - sacred fire meant for good things

Original - www.siththarkal.com

Translated by - சந்தியா