For those looking for a path and have come to accept that of the Siddhas, it is not enough that we gain bookish knowledge about them and take the stage to preach on the Siddhas. One has to travel with the Siddhas carrying out all that they did and still do. Before embarking on this journey we need to shed all that we brought with us, the baggage of karma, ideas and notions, views and perspectives, the readings and the listenings, and many more. The Siddhas shall guide us accordingly. Just as they had me carry out atonements and remedies for my past karma and instilled in me to be on the lookout forever so that we do not commit more horrible acts that bring on more misery in our lives, they shall have us carry out good deeds that shall accumulate merits to offset the demerit points that we had collected in the past. Once the score is balanced we can move on with our lives always cautious of the repercussions of all our actions. Just as they started me with their worship besides that of Lord Ganapathy and Lord Shiva one has to begin worshiping the Gods and the Siddhas. This will go a long way and come in handy and when most needed later on in this journey. The initiation mantra for a start is a link between both worlds. Once we are connected through the mantra the Gods and Siddhas are in constant touch and contact and within our reach though we might not be aware initially. The many pilgrimages and visits to the places pointed out by Siddhas further cement the bond between God and Man. Take this up too. The many rituals that are given to us to carry out draw the bridge between both worlds. Soon you shall see that they come down to us in numerous forms and means and make contact. Once connected through the mantra and the bridge is drawn down, they have access to our homes and our lives. We have invited them in. Then our lives take a turn for they then begin to dictate the course of our lives. We become a potential candidate to be molded in their ways. Their messages come to us and through us too. We travel together with others who are receptive to their ideas and practices. A congregation of souls starts. Then the solo journey begins where one has to take time away from others to work on his skills and polish them. While some might pursue further others might need to come back to continue in another birth. To those who are determined and disciplined they shall soon see the results of the practices given be it worship of higher beings, rituals like libation and homam, asanas and pranayama, and the higher limbs of Yoga.
After working on our karma, our actions, the physical and gross body is nurtured and strengthened to receive divine grace that comes through the hidden energies in the potential state in us waiting to be aroused by the divine hand that gives a hand to all our previous efforts. We are skylifted literally to receive the blessings and their energies that come in torrents and as torrential falls, drenching us to the very cell in bliss. Our efforts stop while theirs starts. The possibilities are limitless says Ramalinga Adigal.
Dr.C.Srinivasan in his "The Philosophy of Ramalinga Swami", Ilakkia Nilayam, Tiruchi (1968), mentions that Ramalinga Adigal "says that he has tasted the bliss of all the sixteen stages contemplated by the Vedas by the permutation and combination of the four paths such as Devotion, Action, Meditation, and Wisdom one after another, and attained higher and truer perfection with the aid of the Supreme Grace, besides the ultimate goal of all the six heavenly avenues such as Vedantham, Siddhantham and so on, (Suddha Siddhanatham, Suddha Vedantham, Suddha Nadantham, Suddha Kalantham, and Suddha Bhodantham) leading to Divinity. He has further given an exposition of his admittance into Sanmargam by the bounteous and boundless descent of the auspicious Supreme Being in him which has resulted in his immortality. He has specifically defined and repeatedly sworn that his path is Sanmargam in which the aspirant becomes immortal."
This should be our ideal and dream. Even if we do not make it in this lifetime at least we can start now and sow the seed, water it, and wait for another birth where it shall grow and give us the results of our efforts, harvesting and enjoying the fruits of our labor. Let us jump on the bandwagon and head into town.
I feel duty-bound to share some of the tools that came in handy on my journey with readers. Hopefully, it would be of some help to seekers, aspirants, and sadhakas like me. Joy is in sharing, right?