Chellappa Sairam has forwarded writings from his friend Jai Ganesh who has graciously permitted Siddha Heartbeat to post his writings, his moments with some great beings who brought change in him and his perspective on life. Here is a summarized translation of his original work in Tamil.
Jai Ganesh defines Siddhas as perfect beings, going with the flow of nature, merged in truth, and appear as guides.
Being interested in spiritual matters, and having heard about Sathuragiri from his friend, for one who was seeking to know the Siddhas, his very first visit to Sathuragiri was a turning point in Jai Ganesh's life. Upon arriving at Sathuragiri and while resting, a large sized man in a blue dhoti who was supervising some locals, invited him and his friend to have food. One of the locals picked up their backpacks and led the duo to have their food. Jai Ganesh's friend introduced him to the man. He told him about Jai Ganesh's spiritual quests.
On first sight itself, the man had already began working on Jai Ganesh subtly arresting his soul or atma. Jai Ganesh began to feel a new experience in his spine. He began to merge into that bliss that resulted and held that new feeling in his spine. As the man kept speaking, Jai Ganesh was in bliss. He gave himself surrendering to that man.
Jai Ganesh takes us back to his experience at Bhogar’s samadhi temple in Palani. While meditating, Jai Ganesh without realizing began to churn out songs in Tamil. These songs surprised others and him too, because he was only 18 then, and they were in the Tamil language that was incomprehensive to him. After that moment, whenever Jai Ganesh meditated on Bhogar he began delivering more songs.
Now as he sat in the presence of this blue dhoti clad man with thoughts about why was it happening to him; what was the relationship with Bhogar and him; and he wanted to ask about the man’s own experiences, whether he (the man) too had had these experiences, Jai Ganesh's chain of thoughts was suddenly interrupted by the man when he spoke the following words, "என் செருப்பு உன் காலை கடிக்கும்" meaning "My shoes won't fit you."
Jai Ganesh realized he got his answers. That became his very first upadesa or sermon. He realized other's spiritual experience would not be of help to another. For one treading the path seeking Erai, spiritual experiences has to to left behind just as the shoes are left behind as one steps into the temple.
Having returned from Sathuragi, Jai Ganesh could not shake nor lose the thought of that man and what he had said at Sathuragiri. He was divine. The areca nut that the man consumed too had become divine. Jai Ganesh wished to see him, speak to him, take in the aroma of the areca nut, and was eager to narrate all his spiritual knowledge to him. Then Jai Ganesh's friend informs him that the man was in Madras. Jai Ganesh immediately took a piece of paper and wrote a song. He picked up all the other songs that he had written earlier and could not comprehend then and left immediately to meet the man.
But Jai Ganesh was to face disappointment on arrival for the man began to shun him, giving him the cold shoulder. Jai Ganesh waited for him with his notes and songs. The man continued his work at this unknown temple in the city. He gave instructions to those around on what needed to be done while still ignoring Jai Ganesh. Somehow Jai Ganesh managed to find a moment to tell the man about the songs that he had written. The man listened to Jai Ganesh as he consumed more areca nuts. Jai Ganesh passed him his notes. He took it and stashed it into his bag. He told him that he will comment the next day and left hurriedly to feed the pigeons. He then took up a chat with the person who was feeding them.
Jai Ganesh sat down with a heavy heart, frustrated and disappointed. After a few moments of introspection he bid farewell to the man. The man immediately responded saying "அப்படியா, சந்தோசம்" that made Jai Ganesh even more angry. The man laughed. Jai Ganesh responded with a grin. He left the premises immediately.
Jai Ganesh was thinking about the man the whole night long. He decided not to show the man any of the songs anymore.
The next day Jai Ganesh received a call while at office. It was the man. On hearing his voice Jai Ganesh became excited again and headed for the temple.
The man spoke, "நாங்களே இருக்குற குப்பையை தூக்கி போட்டுட்டு இருக்கோம். உன்னோடதையும் படிச்சோம். எழுதி இருக்க விஷயம் என்னமோ அது உள்ளபடியே இருக்கட்டும். அதை எங்கிட்ட காட்டணும் ... காட்டணும்ன்னு ... துடிச்சுதுல்ல ... அந்த மன கிளேசத்தை முதல்ல நாம தூக்கி வீசுணும்! அப்பதான் தூங்காமா தூங்கலாம்!", meaning, "We have thrown out the garbage. We read yours too. Let what you you have written be as it is. You had wanted to show them to me, right? We have to throw that intent of the heart too."
The man continued to do his work. Jai Ganesh sat down beside him, not mentioning another word. The scent of areca nut filled the air again. Jai Ganesh’s mind began to settle on its own. Jai Ganesh closed his eyes. He began to realized the meaning of the songs that he had written. He went into a state of spontaneous meditation and bliss. The man and the aroma of his areca nut that he chewed took him to another level. He began to transform Jai Ganesh.
Jai Ganesh had many moments with the man later. While the man carried on with his usual stuff, Jai Ganesh would sit beside him and observe him quietly. Although many people come to him to cry out their worries and problems and he would console them and guide them with atonements or பரிகாரம், Jai Ganesh and he rarely spoke. There was always a group of people around him. He would feed all those present. He would have people buy food for Jai Ganesh and his friend. The man would carefully undo the string and unwrap each packet of food. He would hand the food over to them with love. The food too would be very satisfying. He would not waste food either.
He would do everything with care and attention. His philosophy was, "நீ என்ன பண்ணாலும் அக்கறையோட பண்ணு", and "அப்பப்பவே கவனிச்சுடு" which meant, “Pay attention to what you do”, and “Do what needs to be done immediately”. (He was teaching us to live in the present moment – Editor)
A care less attitude and not having the right knowledge is the cause of all our sorrows. Not fate. What is fate? Fate is our hidden karma. Karma is of two kinds. One that comes with us. Another that we create. A particular Karma creates a particular thought in us. An action then follows. This action then produces a corresponding result. Fresh Karma then surfaces accordingly to the result of this action. A chain reaction takes place. That’s the reason Siddhas take the time to tackle even the minutest of the task with care and attention. There is never a moment of negligence.
The man added that where there is fresh air, clean water and greens a Siddha would definitely be meditating there. The Siddhas can identify the cause of illnesses and diseases and treat accordingly. They could see before a calamity happens and shower their compassion and care. Tackling every moment and activity with care and attention, would lead to a state of bliss.
When a sad person meets a Siddha, he immediately rejoices. The reason being, the Siddha analyses the root cause of his problems, sees his karma, and with care and compassion, removes their problems without even uttering a word.
The Siddhas pay attention to their breath. That’s the reason they attain all. Jai Ganesh says when one begins to bring attention to his problems, the problem tends to get solved. For instance he says if one has been a couch potato for long, and has developed a tummy but begins to show concern and attention to his condition and takes the necessary steps like beginning to walk and exercise, his problem will slowly be solved.
Jai Ganesh ends by asking us to attend to our actions with attention and attend to our karma before they erupt. His encounter with this huge man in blue, makes us realize that Siddhas and those associated with them usually refrain from giving direct upadesa but instead work subtly on us.