It is amazing how Agathiyar gives us or hands out bits of pieces of the puzzle one at a time for us to complete the puzzle. Although he has the blueprint he only shares one thing at a time, dealing from moment to moment. That is how he has been revealing things to us too.
He expects us to follow his directives. Satisfied with us, he adds on more task, only that much which we can shoulder and not any more, for the moment. At times he replaces a particular puzzle piece with another. At other times he removes it entirely. Hence devotees of Agathiyar have to walk his path carefully. But the most compassionate father forgives all eventually.
Agathiyar is a true guru who has moulded and shaped many to the status of a guru too sometimes at par with him.
Life becomes blissful after his arrival.
The only mantra right now for us is the mantra of appreciation and gratefulness - "Thank you Agatheesa! Thank you Agatheesa! Thank you Agatheesa!" One cannot repay his kindness. When man refuses to forgive another, the most compassionate father forgives us. He sets us on the right path reminding us often not to stray. But even that he regards as a necessary experience for us. He takes us back into his folds. He refines us. He polishes us. He makes us fit to take on the task he has in store for us. He makes us missionaries of his church. He sets us on a venture getting us to aid in his mission and fulfilling his wishes. He oversees our accomplishments. He honors us. He gives us our dues by rewarding us with gifts. But the idea here is to refute all that he gives. He will keep on giving. Refuse to accept. He will give further. Say no to that too. Eventually he will have nothing else to give but to give himself. Mission accomplished!
K.R. Sivakanthan composed a beautiful prayer for Poondi Mahan in his book, "Sitthargal Thathuvamum Yoga Neri Muraikalum, Poondi Mahan Varalaaru" by Kazhaga Publications, 2003,
ஞானம் வேண்டேன்
நல் வேதம் வேண்டேன்
சூரியக்கலை வேண்டேன்
சந்திரக்கலை வேண்டேன்
சுழிமுனை வேண்டேன்
அட்டமா சித்தி வேண்டேன்
ஆறு ஆதாரம் வேண்டேன்
அதற்கு மேலும் வேண்டேன்
நின் பாதாரவிந்தம் வேண்டும்
நின் கருணை வேண்டும்
நின் பாதாரவிந்தம் மறவா மனம் வேண்டும்
பூண்டி ஈசா சரணம் சரணம் சரணம்
I ask not Jnana
I ask not the Vedhas
I ask not Suriyakalai
I ask not Chandirakalai
I ask not Suzhimunai
I ask not the 8 Siddhis
I ask not the Adharam
I ask not beyond that
I seek you Holy Feet
I seek your compassion
I seek a heart that never fails to remember your Holy Feet
Poondi Esa Saranam! Saranam! Saranam!
The path to Godhead can be divided into three stages. For instance G. Valmikanathan in his book MAKERS OF INDIAN LITERATURE-RAMALINGAM, published by Sahitya Akademi (ebook at http://www.vallalar.org) traces Ramalinga Adigal’s journey on the Pathway to God dividing it into three portions,
1. Journey on the purgative way,
2. Journey on the illuminative way,
3. Journey on the unitive way.
Valmikanathan explains each step wonderfully:
1. ‘The purgative way is that part of the long path which, one treads towards the godhead and in which one purges oneself of all desires and attachments, of all imperfections, of all acts of commission and omission of shortcomings in renunciation, of shortcomings in the total love of god in the passion for the apprehension of the godhead.’
2. ‘The illuminative way is that part of the path, which comes after the purgative way, and in which one gains illumination, knowledge, and gnosis.’
3. ‘The unitive way is that part of the pathway in which the pilgrim marches on with buoyant and joyous steps, filled with hope and freed from doubt or misconception. The journey is characterized by a sense of urgency. The pilgrim, in this part of his journey, begins to walk fast, then breaks into a loping trot, finally, gallops on with increasing tempo towards the beckoning smile and the outstretched arms, and is soon locked in an eternal embrace with the beloved, the eternal being, the godhead, the ground of all being. The journey on the unitive way is composed of several factors of experience. Recollection and quiet, contemplation, ecstasy and rapture, dark night of the soul, and unitive life.’
Valmikanathan compares the experiences gained or endured in each of these stages,
‘Of these three sections of the pathway, the first is painful and dolorous; the second a strange mixture of sorrow and joy, the joy increasing in intensity as ignorance is slowly replaced by illumination; and the last section of sheer delight, of mounting bliss.’
Ramalinga Adigal's outpourings as a result of his immense experiences while on the path to Godhead have been compiled as the Thiru Arutpa. When one reads these songs one would realize the amount of gratitude Adigal had poured forth to Erai or Arutperunjhoti Andavar as he chose to name it.
Saravanan Palanisamy, who provided the wonderful illustrations to accompany the wonderful stories on https://siththanarul.blogspot.my, recorded his gratefulness after coming to the worship of Agathiyar and the Siddhas, in the form of a poetry, akin to the style recognized in Nadi readings, one day while driving from work.
Once ignorant of the ways of puja, I came to be shown the way
Place the image of the Siddhas and light an oil lamp
Chant the names of the Siddhas wholeheartedly
Joy shall you derive,
Continue this and you shall witness miracles take place
The magnificent Yagam becomes simple to do
The sacrificial fire shall burn all karma
This has been promised by Kumbha Muni,
Worship the Siddhas to achieve success in devotion
Devotion is the door to the fort of Yoga and Jnana
Through persistent devotion derive Yoga and Jnana
Thus spake Mulan, whose words shall not fail.
Being Grateful by Shanmugam Avadaiyappa on Scribd