It is intriguing and interesting to look back at the phases that we walked through that seemed to be a journey journeying along with the elements and riding the Tatwas. In having me visit the 5 Pancha Stalam or 5 elemental temples of Lord Siva it was to make us realize that it was an external exposition of the internal journey that was to come later. If we were grounded to the elements that maketh this body in Sariyai, moving us through the phases, he helped us rise above these Tatwas.
Since I had so many questions and doubts arise as a result of all the reading and discussion that did not tally with what I saw happen to loved ones around me, it prompted Lord Siva to come in a dream and stop all this turmoil, having me keep my question for a later date and having me settle in marriage and raising a family instead for the next 14 years. In breaking the ice, Agathiyar in a mysterious way and through a transmission of the Vasudeva mantra helped pierce the Granthis or physical knots that binded us.
In calling me to read the Nadi and having me go on pilgrimages a year later Agathiyar had me walk the ground. In having me recite the names of the Siddhas and mantras he had us reverberate within and around as the vibration that accompanied these chanting. In having Tavayogi bring me to the abodes of the Siddhas and the caves, we entered sacred spaces. If Tavayogi helped us connect with the elements Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal helped us connect with the Prapanjam. Stepping out of Sariyai which revolved around temple worship introduced by our parents, and stepping into Kriyai we began to chant his name, worship him in the form of a bronze statue and carry out the libation of his statue, and conduct the fire ritual. Stepping into Yoga we were taught to worship the breath that traversed through us.
After Agathiyar called us to the path and walked us through the above-said phases, Lord Muruga announced last evening that the next phase of the journey was riding the breath Vaalai. Taking a hitch and ride on the breath we shall traverse the subtle worlds leaving the physical. He had given a hint of the journey way back in 2018 itself. Stepping into Gnanam we shall settle in the silence within.
Ramalinga Adigal in traveling the many phases of his spiritual endeavor documented his experiences by giving us the Thiru Arutpa and its condensation in the form of the Agaval. G.Valmikanathan in his book ‘Makers of Indian Literature - Ramalingam’, published by Sahitya Akademi (e-book at http://www.vallalar.org) traces Ramalinga Adigal’s brilliant journey on the pathway to God dividing it into three major portions beginning with the purgative way, the illuminative way, and finally the unitive way.
He describes the first part of the saint's life as that of the Journey on the purgative way, where he embarks on the Journey, worshiping Lord Murugan in Chennai and Thirutani, Lord Siva, and Vadivudai Ambigai in Otriyore, and Lord Nadarajah in Chidambaram, purging himself of all desires and attachments, of all imperfections. This is where householders will find it a difficult task having to balance the family, career, social responsibilities, and the craving for the divine. We are often told to live like a drop of water on a lotus leaf. Progress on this part of the path is solely dependent on our efforts. Here is where we tend to slack, lag behind, or totally give up for lack of discipline and true yearning. Here lie all the veils that are often spoken of. This is the first two stages, the Muladhara and Svathisthana, spoken of by Tavayogi where our effort is required to progress further.
This is followed by the Journey in an illuminative way, in which one gains illumination, knowledge, and gnosis or the knowledge or Arivu to differentiate right from wrong, to see the world and its happenings from a different perspective, and the dawn of Gnana that follows where nothing is learned but all is perceived. Arriving at this part of the path, our efforts seize and we are totally dependent on the divine's grace to move further. Tavayogi tells us that from here on the Siddhas will pick us up and lead us on. This can come through a guru or direct from Erai.
The Journey on the unitive way is where we see results. The transformation takes place rapidly without our doing. The divine gifts us a body that can sustain his majestic presence. The divine personally sees through the necessary transformation to become him. The journey on the unitive way is composed of several experiences of recollection, quietness and contemplation, ecstasy, and rapture among others. Here "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."