Just as we expect to gain something from either a venture, investment, a practice, or in doing something in the material world, so too, coming to the religious and spiritual, we look towards some gain, change, or result. Rare are those who come for the sake of God.
Often it has to be immediate. We want everything served on a silver plate. We want everything to fall from the sky. We want everything without effort. We want everything free.
Once gained, everything then becomes an addiction for us, just as we are addicted to tea and coffee, wine and beer.
Coming into the religious circle, we religiously adopt certain practices and keep doing them for life. Our ancestors did it, and so we do it. Since we do it, we force it on our children. And they, on their children. The secret to escaping this cycle is to stay aloof and never be swept by the current. Progression of an earlier activity avoids boredom and repetition. Continually refining the method, approach, and practice keeps us alert and on our feet. And so it was that we made changes in our mode of worship and its related rituals at AVM.
And soon after bringing us to carry out puja and charity, Agathiyar had us drop it all, which I guess saved us from becoming bored with the regime and becoming tired of doing the same thing. I guess he saved us before it became an addiction, and we became "high," as my wife says, or before we became slaves to it. Mahindren pointed out that we had begun to pray that there were people, poor and hungry, on the streets, who would receive the groceries and cooked food we bought and prepared for them. Sadly, we began to wish for the continued existence of the poor and unfortunate so that we could do our part in charity and serve them.
A young man, who landed the post of secretary and who eventually became responsible for the affairs of a temple in my neighborhood, now finds himself caught in the web and wants to quit. He confided in me that he had to do all the purchases, sought donations, and look into every tiny detail and matter in the day-to-day running of the temple. He found it a burden. A Peedham head confided the same, that she had to source funds and look after the running of the Peedham, though there were the trustees. They never moved an inch or moved a finger, but just warmed up their seats. I was surprised to hear that she had to pay a salary to the priests, the gardener, the one who tends to the cows, and the cooks. What happened to volunteering that is a core element coming to Sariyai? I guess people just want to watch, pray, and leave. She told me that I had "escaped". I am glad that I did not fall for the game that Agathiyar and later Lord Muruga played in asking me to build a temple. Instead, I brought the temple home as Lord Muruga revealed later.
When Agathiyar told a devotee to continue her practice of doing Kumbaka or holding the breath, I asked if it was necessary, for we are told of its dangers too. Agathiyar shot me down, telling me not to be overzealous and that it was for her and not me. I learned back then that each method and practice is customized for each individual. I guess this is why traditionally a guru-disciple relationship was one-to-one back in the past and not that of holding classes for the masses or online as at present.
The Siddhas see the events that are about to unfold and come to our aid. And so did Agathiyar ask my daughter to have a medical checkup done and report to him. He had her take the holy basil for 48 days and report to the Siddha physician J.Ariwananthen Aiya of Agathiar Yoga Herbs Care Centre, too, for a checkup. The physician gave her some herbal preparation. I too got to take a Kaya Karpa for my general health and Agathiyar Kuzhambu, after a long time. We have to seek the help of doctors and Siddha physicians as they are the authorities on these. Agathiyar has all the people in the right places to help us out. He comes when there is a need to inform. We are very grateful to him.
But seeking God is very personal. As such, can anyone truly show us the way, the path, the method, and the means to it? Can anyone claim to be an authority on religious and spiritual matters? Everyone is walking the path and journeying towards it, be it the layman or the guru, for Ramalinga Adigal, in charting the many phases, speaks of its numerous stages. Where do we stand in this spiritual ladder? How long is the journey going to take us to reach the top? It all begins with faith and belief first, and taking little baby steps, not forgetting the effort and practice needed to reach there. Rest assured, we shall see the results in good time.
In walking the path, both Tavayogi and Agathiyar have given us numerous tools. Standing at the door to Sariyai, we stood before the granite and bronze statues in the temple, where we came to worship the element of earth. In serving and helping around at the temple, we became grounded. We left our baggage of karma behind, going home a bit lighter. Walking the path of Sariyai further, going on a holy pilgrimage, we dip in the Holy Ganges, which is of the water element. She washes away further our karma. Arriving at Kriyai, lighing to light the Homam that is of the fire element, we burn the remaining karma in its fire, turning it to ashes. In taking up Yoga, we take in the Prana, which is the element of air. Sitting in Dhyana, we enter the space. Conquering all five elements, we enter the state of Sat Chit Ananda. In journeying this path laid by the Siddhas, we gain self-confidence to take things into our hands and lose our previous dependency on middlemen and others. After having cleansed the slate of past karma and wiped out our fate, holding the hands of the Siddhas, we begin to write our own destiny.