Jnana Jyothiamma posted the following verse:
God will take us down the paths that we never want to travel on, and onto the roads that we never want to see, just to get us to a place that we never want to leave.
That is how Agathiyar reorders our priorities in life. That is how Agathiyar brings about and performs the transformation in us from a common man to a divine man, a master (guru), a Rishi, a Siddha, a Gandharva, a Deva and finally brings us back home to the kingdom of Erai.
Agathiyar comes to remind us who we are. This can be in many ways. It can be through a Nadi reading. The Nadi is revealed with Erai’s permission and only if one's fate permits. Fate also determines when one should hear his reading, and how much is to be revealed. The revelation can come through a master or guru. It can also be revealed during meditation. For those not into these facets of spirituality and have yet to take their first step, they are lured by miracles performed by the Siddhas.
Agathiyar points out that the Pandavas had Lord Krishna on their side and yet their sufferings did not end. If Lord Krishna wished and wanted he could have provided a comfortable life for them oblivious to sufferings and obstacles. Here is where fate comes into play. Fate has to carry out its duty and thats were the Navagraham or planets play their role, all orchestrated by Erai, according to the period in time, the yuga concerned, and the dharma of that period, all set out perfectly and functioning to its minutest detail and second. Erai and Mahans can only interfere to a certain extent in a man's life. The extent, and for whom, and when is also dependent on other factors. If need arises it is re-calculated. Erai alters our fate then.
Man, trying his level best in his material endeavours, yet failing in his attempts to have a richer life, turns to the Mahans and Jnanis for guidance. They in turn, turn to the more superior Jnanis and Devas for consultation. The Siddhas with Erai's blessings, then reveal certain means and solutions. But man would need additional merits, punya balam and atma balam, to battle an already strong ill fate that he is facing. Ordinary prayers, worship and charity done on a small scale would not possibly change his fate. If he wants to battle his fate he has to continuously perform prayers to Erai, and conduct actions that increase his atma balam. But Agathiyar admits it would be a long battle indeed. If it is an illness and if it is severe, one would have to take the medication for a longer duration. Similarly the severity of his ill fate can only be overcome with an equally appropriate atonement over a longer measure of time. Agathiyar ask that we do not expect immediate solutions or miracles to take place but instead take on this battle to change one's fate with continuous prayers and total surrender to Erai. Agathiyar ask to allow Erai to do what and when as he deems fit. Agathiyar cautions us that an immediate and drastic change could either work in our favor bringing good results immediately or bring adverse and harmful effects to the recipient.
As he advances spiritually, he realizes that the state of sorrow is not in the surroundings but is a matter of how he sees them and accepts them. By accepting that he has made a wrong judgement or a mistake, declaring that he would not repeat them and promising to be more careful, and by moving on with life, that episode would not torture him no more. He uses his remaining energy and diverts it towards constructive thinking, setting his live in order again. Agathiyar warns that sorrow will lead to further confusion. Hence man needs to understand that all things will come to pass and nothing is permanent. Man gets caught in the illusion of real and false often many times. By seeking the grace of Erai and with the aid of Siddhas to guide, man will eventually understand what is permanent joy and sorrow. Real joy and bliss is in doing Erai's work. Continuous prayers, charity and service will raise one to true devotion to Erai that will supersede all other priorities in life.
As he advances spiritually, he realizes that the state of sorrow is not in the surroundings but is a matter of how he sees them and accepts them. By accepting that he has made a wrong judgement or a mistake, declaring that he would not repeat them and promising to be more careful, and by moving on with life, that episode would not torture him no more. He uses his remaining energy and diverts it towards constructive thinking, setting his live in order again. Agathiyar warns that sorrow will lead to further confusion. Hence man needs to understand that all things will come to pass and nothing is permanent. Man gets caught in the illusion of real and false often many times. By seeking the grace of Erai and with the aid of Siddhas to guide, man will eventually understand what is permanent joy and sorrow. Real joy and bliss is in doing Erai's work. Continuous prayers, charity and service will raise one to true devotion to Erai that will supersede all other priorities in life.
The true spiritual path is one where one adopts and adheres to a path of worship, abstain from all forms of wrong doings and evil thoughts. Knowing pretty well that its a difficult challenge Erai and the Siddhas expect us to battle these vices and rise up again and again. Erai will then come down to help us come out of this rut. Agathiyar reminds us that all things are possible only through Erai's grace and compassion.
Man takes for granted all the good things showered on him from minute to minute but is disturbed the very moment he faces an obstacle, illness or suffering. This is the working of maya or illusion. Agathiyar reminds us that peace, happiness, and satisfaction is not derived from outside. If man could develop a positive attitude towards life, and carry out all his responsibilities, he would become satisfied. Man must learn to be satisfied. If he ends up unsatisfied with what he has, it only means fate is still at play.
Man takes for granted all the good things showered on him from minute to minute but is disturbed the very moment he faces an obstacle, illness or suffering. This is the working of maya or illusion. Agathiyar reminds us that peace, happiness, and satisfaction is not derived from outside. If man could develop a positive attitude towards life, and carry out all his responsibilities, he would become satisfied. Man must learn to be satisfied. If he ends up unsatisfied with what he has, it only means fate is still at play.