As I set up my 5.1 home sound system, which brought me deeper into researching sound, I realized that my knowledge of sound and all other things was pretty shallow. Indeed, the lady saint Avvai had quoted that what we know is only a handful, and that what we do not know is as vast as the oceans and skies. Just watching BBC's documentaries brings awe and wonder at the colors, sounds, and mysteries of nature that we are a part of, too. The very body and mind that we carry with us since day one are still a mystery. It is one among the many miracles in nature. Agathiyar and Ramalinga Adigal had told us several times to read and reread and understand the chapter on the Tatvas from Tavayogi's book, "Andamum Pindamum". I did, but I have yet to fully comprehend it. Giving us an insight into the Udal, Uyir, and Atma and how the body, breath, and soul are linked through a short memo that came during the moments of Mahindren's meditation, he diffused the confusion that I had regarding these. In trying to translate our experiences into words for the benefit of others, we realize that no amount of words, writing, and speaking can do justice to what one sees, feels, hears, tastes, and undergoes in these moments of enlightenment. There is so much to learn and know but yet we are embroiled in petty things of our making, trying to prove others wrong, putting others down, and in doing so, hurting them. Looking back on our lives and the words and actions of ours that had cut deep through these souls, causing them to bleed, and scarred them for life, how can we in our dreams seek to enter the kingdom of light?
Mukti and Gnanam, like Samadhi, have become common everyday words. Many who come over to AVM say that either they seek or want Mukti, or were told that they would "attain" it in the Nadi. I realized that we are asking for both Mukti or loosely translated as liberation or enlightenment, and Gnanam or loosely translated as knowledge, without knowing its meaning or its state. Many join a center or come under the tutelage of a guru or master, hoping to "receive" Mukti just as they receive initiations. Others seek out these movements and gurus, hoping to "receive" Gnanam, forgetting that, as with Mukti, one has to "attain" this state too. Agathiyar tells us that only in going within and traveling the Chakras and in finally arriving at the Sahasrara, shall one come to know Gnanam. Mind you, he has yet to attain that state, even then. Ramalinga Adigal, in arriving at the fifteenth state, reveals and describes the other states, leading up to the twenty-third. He adds that there were other states further than these that words cannot possibly describe. Have we ever wondered and wanted to ask what we need to do to attain these? These are states that one, upon listening to the guru in physical form, and after much work and effort is put in, arrives at and attains. After the guru in physical form has prepared us well, and brings us to know the guru in us, that is the soul or JeevAtma, just as the blacksmith strikes the iron when it's hot, the divine or ParamAtma comes to meet us within, and work further on us. The work goes on and on, endlessly over many lifetimes.