What is the means to Erai? How do we approach Erai when we do not have the slightest idea but would very much love and desire to come in contact with him? Tirumular guides us in this verse from his Tirumanthiram.
திருமூலதேவ நாயனார் அருளிச்செய்த திருமந்திரம்
பத்தாம் திருமுறை
முதல் தந்திரம்
21. கேள்வி கேட்டமைதல்.
300.
அறங்கேட்டும் அந்தணர் வாய்மொழி கேட்டும்
மறங்கேட்டும் வானவர் மந்திரங் கேட்டும்
புறங்கேட்டும் பொன்னுரை மேனிஎம் ஈசன்
திறங்கேட்டும் பெற்ற சிவகதி தானே. 1
301.
தேவர் பிரானைத் திவ்விய மூர்த்தியை
யாவர் ஒருவர் அறிவார் அறிந்தபின்
ஓதுமின் கேள்மின் உணர்மின் உணர்ந்தபின்
ஓதி உணர்ந்தவர் ஓங்கி நின்றாரே. 2
Isaikavi Ramanan in his exposition of the Tirumanthiram at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T45NTl3Bc_U and https://agathiyarvanam.blogspot.my/2017/11/listen.html points out the five step journey in acquiring the correct knowledge to comprehend him.
The prerequisite to know Erai is to first accept that he/she/it exists. We have to acknowledge that there is a force behind all that is created, sustained and destroyed, both within our-self in this physical body and out there in nature and the universe.
Next we need to believe in him, that he is the guiding light; followed by having faith in him, that he would guide us on to him. After accepting his existence, believing in him and having faith that he would guide us on in our search for him. Next a yearning to know him brings us to listening to morally uplifting stories; sitting at the feet of elders and the wise listening to their discourses or upadesham thus bringing clarity to our thinking and hence removing the associated veils; knowing the good and the bad, what needs to be done to make an honest living and live a life of virtues that uplifts the spirit; similarly knowing what is to be avoided that can bring our downfall; listening to the mantras tapped and retrieved by the Rishis from the other planes (Akashic records) and given to us to chant and purify our thoughts and physique; learning the Sastras and other sacred texts that serve as guidelines to adhere and follow; and learning about Erai's attributes and his play of consciousness or lilas, we finally arrive at the gateway to his kingdom. We are given a grand welcome and an audience with him and sent away with honorary status that serves as an achievement for others to pursue too.
In wanting to know Erai, first have believe and faith. This builds love for him; brings you to want to know more about him. Getting to know him we begin to know his nature. Knowing where to find him, we begin to look for him. We then listen to his leelas. We imbibe all these in us and rise above the self.
As Agathiyar has said, "Let it happen and I shall believe" is what man holds on to; whereas the Siddhas say "Believe and it shall happen!", one needs to believe in a thing before he can pursue it.
Believe that there is an intelligence governing us, yearn to know it, through love and devotion bring it unto you, imbibing its thought, sense and feeling in you, envisioning how he will react to a condition, by putting our-self in his shoes. This leads to Erai anubhavam.
Although today he tells me that he is in the prapanjam and that the prapanjam is in him, in 2002 when I went to have my very first Nadi reading, bringing himself to a state of that of a servant of Erai, he very humbly started the reading with adoration and praise to Erai, and with Erai's permission went ahead to narrate about me. He pointed me to Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva and the Siddhas telling me to offer my prayers to them. I realized then that he was indeed a force to reckon with, with his capabilities to prophesize or predict, telling me my past, present and future, totally mesmerizing me.
Although today he tells me that he is in the prapanjam and that the prapanjam is in him, in 2002 when I went to have my very first Nadi reading, bringing himself to a state of that of a servant of Erai, he very humbly started the reading with adoration and praise to Erai, and with Erai's permission went ahead to narrate about me. He pointed me to Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva and the Siddhas telling me to offer my prayers to them. I realized then that he was indeed a force to reckon with, with his capabilities to prophesize or predict, telling me my past, present and future, totally mesmerizing me.
After accepting him; believing in his words spoken through the Nadi; having faith in him to take care of the results of whatever remedies meted out to us; yearning to know more about him and embarking on a journey of discovery; receiving teechas or initiation and listening to discourses or upadesam; listening to devotional renditions; going through the sacred texts, learning about his attributes as depicted by the saints; he brought me to his doorstep too. Today he stands as Erai, Saviour, Guru, Mother, Father and Companion to me. That is sufficient. The rest is up to him to deliver if he deems me fit for the role and if he thinks I deserve it.
Seeking the dawn of the day of realization is what we are here for. Tavayogi on our journey to Siddha sites, would chose to sit and invoke the Siddhas with a couple of stanzas in praise of them and finally repeat Ramalinga Adigal's song. He would break down automatically at this juncture.
Seeking the dawn of the day of realization is what we are here for. Tavayogi on our journey to Siddha sites, would chose to sit and invoke the Siddhas with a couple of stanzas in praise of them and finally repeat Ramalinga Adigal's song. He would break down automatically at this juncture.
இன்று வருமோ நாளைக்கே வருமோ
மற்று என்று வருமோ அறியேனே என் கோவே
துன்று மல வெம்மாயை யற்று
வெளிக்குள் வெளி கடந்து சும்மா இருக்கும் சுகம்