My late father realized that money could not save him, when a Japanese fighter plane opened fire on civilians in the streets in Ipoh, Malaysia. As he was a money lender by profession, he had just withdrawn two bags of cash from the bank when the japs machined gunned, missing him by inches as he lay frozen down on the ground. His life changed after that terrifying incident. He enrolled in an ashram in India serving the Guru. After some time the Guru sent him back, asking him to fulfill his responsibilities to his family first.
Pattinathar, a merchant who was trading with other countries, was left a note, by his son who had just arrived back home from a long, risky trading mission. Reading the note, Pattinathar realized all the wealth would not follow him to his grave. The note read, "Kathatra usiyum vaaraathu kadai vazhikke", even a broken and useless needle would not accompany you in your last journey towards death. He left his successful trade and treasures and became a hermit.
Pattiragiriyaar, a king, seeing Pattinathar's intense and unruffled faith and devotion even after being accused of theft in his palace and put to torture, joined him later seeking solace and peace at the feet of his Guru.
Siddhartha shed his princely robes after seeing his subjects suffer in pain and agony, seeking the reason for old age and suffering. He became enlightened. He became Gautama Buddha.
Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigalar left his successful mill business to his family voluntarily as promised, to become a mendicant. His search and interest in the Siddhas in his early years, had brought him to several levels of intense experiences that he vowed to return to the path later at 50 years of age. He started the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham at Kallar, India and subsequently brought the teachings of the Siddhas to us in Malaysia.
Sri Rama willingly took on the life of a traveling monk undertaking vanavasam, leaving his princely life, as a result of manipulation by certain quarters in the palace. His travels brought him fame and honor. The epic story Ramayana is based on him.
Similarly each of us has a turning point in life where we are made aware of the divine that moves us all. The real search begins then as Tavayogi says. The search brings us to the right people at the right time who lend a hand to us, uplifting us to the next stage. These are the gurus. Taking this torch in his hand the aspirant travels the path carefully, bringing his ego to the ground. He replaces his ego with the will of Erai. He then lives for Erai and his purpose. He becomes an apostle of Erai.
He then takes those who are willing to walk the path on a journey of discovery. The aspirants now discover for themselves the truth. The truth is not told or revealed by another but is discovered by the seeker. The truth is revealed from one's own experience. The saints have sung anubhuthis, personal records of their experiences. These songs would give an idea of what to expect traveling the path to Erai's kingdom.
Arunagiri who was so engrossed in the pleasures of life was saved by Lord Murugan. He took upon himself to sing the praises of the Lord. Hence come about a string of hymns that became known as Thirupugal.