November 11, 2004

Last night I had an unusual visit from a wonderful being whose fame I have only heard and read about from stories and books. I am not sure why She visited me but it may have something to do with my concern about praying to Lord Skanda.

I wanted in my heart to sing Kanthar Anubhuthi everyday for Kantha Sashti, which was to begin this friday (Nov 12). But, unfortunately, I was so limited in my time because of my recent commencement of my clinical clerkships at Wycombe General Hospital, in London, England – as part of my 3rd year curriculum of medical school. Every day I would wake up at 5 or 6am and come home around 7pm from the hospital after helping and learning from my house officer. So, I would be so exhausted that I could not even have time to study properly or worse, wake up the following morning to do my daily sadhana of worship which would last 1 hour. Instead, I would only do a short 5-minute puja to Lord Ganesha and beseech Him to send my prayers through Him to His younger brother, Sri Skanda. But in my heart, I always questioned whether or not I was doing the right thing. It was then that I had this dream with Saint Auvaiyar (a renowned Saint who had the blessings of both Lord Ganesha and Skanda), who helped me with my predicament.

She came in my dream to the place I was staying (4 Dashwood) and I followed her. She was wearing a white sari and having very white gray hair and vibhuthi smeared across her forehead. She spoke to me [in Tamil] saying,”Mahanae [My Son]…”

Auvaiyar continued [in Tamil; but I’ll cite the English translation of what she spoke],”…You don’t need to worry about not spending long hours praying to Murugan. If you pray to Vinaayagar Peruman, He will convey your prayers to Skanda. That itself is adequate for you at this time.”

I nodded my head in agreement saying,”Om Amma.”

Auvaiyar then walked out of my accomodation complex and I followed her. As we went out of the building, we entered another building. It was a temple. There was no one in it but I do recall a kodi maram (sacrificial altar) and at the base was a Ganesha statue. It looked exactly as the one that I have in my altar room. Auvaiyar turned and looked at me and then looked at Sri Ganesha as if instructing me to pray. She sat beside the statue and held her hands in the anjali mudra. I sat beside her and in front of the Ganesha statue and started to chant the sanskrit mantras that I normally say in the morning. I then awoke.