BECOMING ONE

As we read further from the book, Adi Sankaracharya's "Saundarya Lahiri," we come to know about creation as we are told that "for the fruition of the Karma of countless Jivas and their gradually becoming fit for Moksa, Siva-Sakti commences the dance during which the universe gradually evolves. When they stop, the dissolution takes place." The moment we realize this truth, we come to an understanding. The search ends. We lose our attachment. We lose our Ego. We become free. We settle down. Peace sets in. We come to know our true purpose when it is made known to us. Until then, we go with the flow.

I called over Mahindren to share my findings in reading the book with him. It was truly an enlightening moment as we shared our experiences and the learnings and lessons from them. There comes a time when we begin to see God and the guru as one. I had always asked myself if my guru Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal was, in fact, Agathiyar walking on our soil. There were many moments when I saw them as one, in the manner of answering questions with another question, and by exhibiting humbleness. There were several moments when I saw the twinkle in Tavayogi's eyes, too. 

When Agathiyar asks me to forget him some time back, I ask him how I could do that? He was my everything. My guru. My God. My breath. He replied with a question: "How can we then be one?" Today, just as he was about to leave, Agathiyar came and hugged both my wife and me. I thanked him. I told him that my Taraga Mantra henceforth shall be "Nandri," or "Thank you". He immediately asks, "Thank you to whom? Thank you for what?" I replied, "To you, my guru for everything", and stated, "Who could have had such a wonderful birth and life?" Again, he asks to whom I was thankful and for what, and asks, "Aren't we one?" What more can one ask for? I remained silent. 

Swami Tapasyananda writes that Sri Ramakrishna expresses this in the parable of the faithful servant. "A gardener works hard and pleases the master with the plentiful produce he raises from the garden. The master, being pleased with him beyond measure, seats him on his own seat and tells him, "You are as dear to me as myself." Ramalinga Adigal also sang that God gave way to him to occupy his seat. When God and the guru accept us, what more is there?