Watching and reading about the lives of the saints who sought to know the reason to take birth and attempt to bring them into fruition; following Supramania Swami's and Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal's story and ordeals in reaching the state of samadhi, we can only look towards them with awe and fascination. As Tavayogi said we have been accustomed to a good life, will we sacrifice that to take to the path our saints traveled? If we are willing and ready to do that, where do we find a guru and mentor to follow? Would they accept us into their fold? Will we dare walk the path as they did? If we did could we keep up with them and their expectations?
I have to thank Agathiyar for bringing his teachings to the commoner and simpletons like me without having to be grilled in the fire of austerities as was the usual way. The Siddhas have come down to our level in many ways to bring salvation and save us from indulging further and remaining in this dream world or Maya of ours, that is all our making.
It is told that when the late Hanumathdasan pleaded to Agathiyar to speak in the modern-day language rather than the Tamil used during his times through his Nadi so that the latter could read, understand and convey them in simple terms and translate if a need arises to the seekers as they must grasp the content of his message, Agathiyar initially asked him if he (Hanumathdasan) wanted him to bring down his standards? Eventually, the most compassionate father did speak in the language that we could all understand. There was another instance where as the seeker from Malaysia could not comprehend Tamil, Agathiyar asked Hanumathdasan to hand over the Nadi to the seeker. The words appeared in Bahasa Malaysia where the seeker read and understood for himself.
Having leafed through my Nadi and scanned through me, Agathiyar knew that I could not possibly conform to the rigid qualifications required of me to walk the path. He knew that I could not possibly jump the bar that he had set to qualify to follow him. Nevertheless, the most compassionate Father invited me over. Not knowing anything about the Siddhas and their path, I visited the various associations named after him. I looked around and observed. I picked up whatever information and documents that they had on the Siddhas but never patronized them, opting to begin the worship with these tools in my home. When I took up his calling, he had Tavayogi come by to Malaysia and initiate me officially onto the path. Tavayogi volunteered to take me places and experience for myself tracking into the jungles and staying in caves. He took me to the places he had been during his tenure as a mendicant before finally settling at Kallar.
Agathiyar simplified my life removing the hassle of the search, instead spoon-fed me. He came through the Aasi Nadi and filled me in, giving directions and confirming the results. He had me watch and learn from Tavayogi the rituals that were a cornerstone to devotion or bhakti to the Siddhas. Tavayogi made it so simple for even a commoner and simpleton like me to follow and perform them. He removed the fear in attempting to do rituals while Agathiyar told us he found no fault in our endeavors. As the order that governs us here applies to their realm too, they had me observe them. Agathiyar, Ramalinga Adigal, and Tavayogi made me understand the existence of other forces in play in nature and the other world or subtle plane, besides the divine. I came to understand that it was all-inclusive. If we chose to divide and rule, then the question arises what or who created them, if there was only one God or creator? I was made to understand that it was all a play of energies in various intensities and forms. Having had the right understanding, we made a breakthrough eventually and the portal opened and a bridge was drawn. They came to visit us. They came to prepare us to go over to their plane. But it wasn't going to be an easy task.
We keep churning the pond life after life and never get to see the clear waters. It is so muddied that we cannot see our own reflection, our true self in it. Logic shall tell us that in order to see the self in the waters, it has to be still. Hence we are asked to still the mind and know the self. To bring stillness within they asked us to observe the breath, first actively taking charge of it through pranayama, then passively following it and slowly bringing ourselves to just watch it. The breath then settles.
My friend puts it in another way,
The spring that wells up within, has much impurities, too.... Like the churning of Paarkadal. Since you have completed the external spring cleaning of your home, it is time to clean the home of the soul, with the guidance of Lord Agathiyar, and Lord Shiva will be there to drink up the churned poison, with His Adhomuka. May the Masters be with you. After all, Lord Vishnu gave you His support and mantra, to break the knot of the Heart, as Kurma avatara...கூர்மை means tortoise as well as sharpness...
To aid in settling down, Agathiyar first worked on our physical or gross body. He asked that we understand the tattvas or elements that made us and all of creation. An attempt then is made to change certain attributes and nature that we had carried all these while, to bring a transformation of the gross or Asudha Deham to subtle. The impurities need to be purged and the knowledge accumulated dropped, leaving room for the descent of the Arutperunjothi in the form of light further transforming it into an ideal Suddha Deham. Acceptance to the inner subtle workings of the body and the subtle workings of the divine brings a charge of energies within. The prana that flows in without disruption entails that the body is packed with the goodness of pranic energy. At its end one arrives at the Pranava Deham that shall move into a light body or Oli Deham.
While we struggle to accomplish the first few tiers of this wonderful journey, Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal come by to stay at our side to ensure all is well in our endeavors. Keeping an eye on us and things they have made the journey safe and comfortable giving us the strength, tolerance, and patience to ride through the occasional rapids encountered. I believe that the Siddhas and our lineage of gurus truly want us to succeed in this attempt in this life and join them. All that stands between us and their desire is the willingness on our part to take up the calling, worshipping them with rituals, practicing all the facets of Yoga, and finally requiring a total surrender to their will.
A similar call comes from my friend who messaged me the following.
What a yeoman and a selfless service you are providing. It is like throwing a lifejacket to a person struggling to swim in the vast oceon. If they don't want to make use of it, it is their karma.
It is my fervent wish and prayer that your many readers,and followers of the Path, read these posts, and embark on their sadhana. You have openly shown them the way, but, like the Masters, it is couched in subtle nuances. I guess that is how the Masters want it.
You have made the Path a joyous journey, even for those wanting to wet their feet the first time, allaying all apprehensions.
Your efforts and progress on the Path is a beacon for every true seeker.
How much happy He must be to see us following Him, and making progress,... much like a human father on the achievement of his children.
I have learnt a lot from you... so would have many... Please do continue the good work.
For those keen to follow, maybe these videos during the live streams from AVM might be of some help and guidance.