We cheat ourselves. We give all the reasons to keep doing things according to our desires. We forego many teachings of the wise. We sought happiness outside at the expense of others. We don't even think about the consequences of our actions when young. But when problems crop up due to our earlier actions, or age catches up with us or health deteriorates, we seek solutions and help. When the ego falters we look for a guide. The soul that brought us into existence and that was later kept captive comes to our aid. Gnanam dawns at our deathbed.
But for one who comes to see that life and all of creation is Maya, unreal he seeks to know the real. He knows that the genuine gurus have broken the code and are at peace with themselves, getting rid of their desires, their Karma, and even their thoughts. He seeks to meet one.
Then some are jolted out of their dream and reminded of their true self in uncanny ways.
But each shall arrive there in due time. It took me crores of years to arrive here says Agathiyar and adds that he had been with me all these years. Agathiyar in coming to us laments that we have not woken up from our slumber even after all these years. They come as reminders in many ways but the lure of Maya is too strong. The only way to beat Maya is to take the hands of the Divine. The Divine shall then come as a guru.
In coming to the guru, half the battle is won. The merits from his long years of austerities and Tavam and Tapas kickstart our journey placing us on a higher rung of the ladder. By listening to him and putting into practice what is given or taught one sails through the rapids that come with the flowing of the river of life.