The hype now is on the physical aspect of Yoga and meditation. Fine. Seeing a flyer from an organizer, a fine print caught my attention. The classes were only for those above 12 years in age. Another flyer from another organizer of a similar event mentioned it was for those above 19. I began to wonder then, if Yoga and meditation was for the adults, as advertised, what happens to those infants, toddlers, growing kids and teens? Who or what is going to guide them in those critical age of development and discovery?
This is where Sanatana Dharma has clearly outlined and laid out preparatory stages for the soul to hold on to and advance spiritually, one step at a time without hurry. They are Sariyai, Kriyai, Yogam and Jnanam.
Just as we take our kids to the Zoo and show them the myriad animals that are in existence, we take our children to the temple and show "GOD". The concept of the formless cannot be explained, neither can it be shown to a child on the onset. We need to point out to them GOD as existing external, as an entity. Bringing them to temples and engaging in temple activities and rituals will introduce them to the concept of God and start them on the path of Sariyai and Kriyai respectively.
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| Photos for illustration purposes, courtesy of Saravanan Palanisamy |
Sariyai introduces service in the temples; cleaning and decorating; attending to the gardens and animals; cooking and serving the devotees; and joining in the chanting of hymns. This comes easily for everyone and all age groups and is the first step towards attaining divinity. Hence the aspirant starting his journey at this elementary or entry level lives in the world of Shiva, taking on humility and service to God and his devotees as his tools for deliverance.
Bringing offerings to God and conducting rituals brings them closer to Shiva, moving from being a servant to that of a son. Kriyai and its rituals and its list of do's and don'ts inculcate discipline in the aspirants and devotees.
Bringing the ancient texts and teachings to our children will set them on the noble path of truth or satyam. Bringing age old works of our saints into their young and tender hearts, will inculcate good morals and values that outline the do's and don'ts of living a life of virtue. These teachings will help answer the doubts arising in the critical age of development in a child with his keen observation, unending questions and discovery; and bring discipline and control over the surging hormones and raging emotions in an adolescent.Bringing our children along to carry out service orientated activities, will bring them to share, serve and realize how fortunate they are. Hence we bring them to become compassionate.
The Eightfold Path or Ashtanga of Patanjali's Yoga Sutra will be more meaningful then as we walk the path of Yoga towards Jnana. Moving from being a servant of God and his devotees, to that of his son, the aspirant coming to the path of Yogam, then becomes a companion of God.
Finally he attains Jnana.“Control of the senses; regulating the two breaths (in-breath and out-breath); realizing the essence of the six Adhara kundalini Chakras with triangles and squares; worshipping the presiding deities of each Chakra; ascending to Brahmarandhra and inducing the lotus bud to blossom; stimulating the sun Mandala there and helping the resulting ambrosia spread all through the body; worshipping and meditating the effulgent Shiva without remissness; and observing the Ashtanga Yogam. These devotees will get the form of Shiva.”
- the SHIVAGNANA SIDDHIYAR SUPAKKAM.
“Wisdom from all Puranas, Sastras and sacred texts of all external religions; elucidation of all and rejecting the falsehood as untruth; knowledge of God, soul and fetters; acquisition of true knowledge of the righteous path for attaining Shiva; and merger with Shiva without any differentiation among knowledge, knower and the object of knowledge. People in this just path acquire greatness and attain Shiva.”
- the SHIVAGNANA SIDDHIYAR SUPAKKAM.
From "An Introduction to the Philosophy of Ramalinga Swami" by Dr C Srinivasan, published by Ilakkia Nilayam, Tiruchi, 1968, we gather the following observation on the states of the souls, their corresponding spiritual experiences and the various paths that these souls are grouped in.
1. At the beginning are those who lead a mundane life without even a thought of its transient nature. They move through three stages of wakefulness, namely normal wakefulness, moving on to normal dreaming, and normal ignorance.
2. Then there are those who although are aware of the momentary nature of life but continue enjoying gross things. This is considered the path of Sariyai.
3. This third group of souls seek to see the Lord and feel inseparable from him. They embark on an untiring search for God and enjoy subtle things. This is the path of Kriyai.
4. These fourth group of souls think only of God. They have neither desires nor dreams. Their soul temporarily unites with Brahman, enjoying bliss. This is Yogam.
5. Souls in this group shed lust & the veils that covered their soul for generations. Their soul is cleansed by Arutperunjhoti. They exhibit spontaneous impulses of love for God. This state is considered absolute union with Brahman. This is Shiva Jnana Nilai.
6. Those in this group enjoy the grace of Arutperunjhoti and experience the state of ecstasy.
7. When the shackles are removed by Arutperunjhoti and they receive heavenly experiences, they are considered to have come to the first divine path, Sithantham.
Above this 7th stage, God is un-manifested.
8. In this eighth stage he begins to "taste" God. He receives the glory of Arutperunjhoti. He gains self-realization or Atma Tarisanam. He realizes the soul as an atom brilliant as the sun. He realizes the greatness of God's grace and his smallness. His soul is charged with divine grace. This soul is regarded to have reached the second divine path, Vethantham.
9. This souls perceive God in the form of light. The soul is saturated with compassion & love. It experiences divine life or Uyir Anubhavam. The divine experience or Uyir Anubavam leads to a Sudha Degam where transformation to a pure and golden body takes place. He attains a purified and golden body or Sudha Degam. Love incarnates in him and towards all fellow beings. He sees divinity in all creatures. He sees oneness in life or sees the divine in all life forms. He sees God in the form that he is ready to receive. He sees the smallness of one and greatness of God. There is spontaneous flow of God in him. The extent of his achievement is dependent on the grace of Arutperunjhoti. He enjoys the supreme grace or Arul Anubhavam as he walks the third divine path, Sutha Nathantham.
The higher stages are heavenly stages and beyond human perception where the mind fails to conceive and all senses cease to function.
10. Descent of divinity in an individual takes place when he enters the fourth divine path, Sutha Kalantham.
11. The supreme grace flows and prepares him for yet another stage, the fifth divine path, Sutha Bothantham.
12. On the sixth divine path, Samarasa Sutha Sanmaarga, his body transforms into the Pranava Deham or body of grace merging with Arutperunjhoti. He defeats death. Ramalinga Adigal mentions Muthuthandavar & Tathuvarayar as had attained this state. In this extensive journey towards self realization, there are still higher stages that Ramalinga Adigal hesitates to express.
Tavayogi had asked us to come out of temple worship into the path of Yogam and Jnanam when we first met him in Malaysia. Later I was surprised to see him go about building a "temple", installing statues, and performing rituals at Kallar. His ashram had become a temple. I asked him why he was building a temple. He replied that it was not for him but for the devotees. I could not fully comprehend his ways then. Today I fully understand. Although he had passed these elementary stage and did not have a need for these beginners tools on the path to divinity, he realized his obligation towards the society, that has just started coming to devotion, and understanding their needs, he took up the divine task of leading them from scratch. He came down from his throne to help the lost souls. He had originally wanted to go into samadhi at Kallar after his many years of wandering and meditation throughout India. But he put on hold his desire to merge with Erai for the sake of the numerous souls including us that had to be brought to the path of the Siddhas. He then traveled to Malaysia and Singapore. He finally completed his life long desire to build a temple for Agathiyar last year.
Tavayogi's ashram cum temple caters for all four groups of devotees. Those who shy from devotion, but rather do service, opportunities arise for them to participate in contributing physically in cleaning the temple complex; making garlands to adorn the Siddhas; helping to purchase groceries and greens and cooking them; and serving food to the visitors. For those who seek to learn, participate and perform Siddha puja, will find Kallar a good training ground. For those keen on Yoga and meditation, the ashram provides a very conducive surrounding and facilities. For those who seek answers to their queries can engage in satsang with Tavayogi and have their doubts cleared.
I remember in the days when I stayed away from temples and worship for various reasons, I still took my children over to the temples occasionally, so that they would not be cut off entirely from our beliefs, culture, tradition and our society. I am glad good sense prevailed then. I did not desert them in their times of need but carried out my responsibility as a parent.
Every rung in the ladder has a purpose. Let us not ridicule another for his belief or practice. We shall all reach the kingdom of Erai in good time.
Tavayogi had asked us to come out of temple worship into the path of Yogam and Jnanam when we first met him in Malaysia. Later I was surprised to see him go about building a "temple", installing statues, and performing rituals at Kallar. His ashram had become a temple. I asked him why he was building a temple. He replied that it was not for him but for the devotees. I could not fully comprehend his ways then. Today I fully understand. Although he had passed these elementary stage and did not have a need for these beginners tools on the path to divinity, he realized his obligation towards the society, that has just started coming to devotion, and understanding their needs, he took up the divine task of leading them from scratch. He came down from his throne to help the lost souls. He had originally wanted to go into samadhi at Kallar after his many years of wandering and meditation throughout India. But he put on hold his desire to merge with Erai for the sake of the numerous souls including us that had to be brought to the path of the Siddhas. He then traveled to Malaysia and Singapore. He finally completed his life long desire to build a temple for Agathiyar last year.
Tavayogi's ashram cum temple caters for all four groups of devotees. Those who shy from devotion, but rather do service, opportunities arise for them to participate in contributing physically in cleaning the temple complex; making garlands to adorn the Siddhas; helping to purchase groceries and greens and cooking them; and serving food to the visitors. For those who seek to learn, participate and perform Siddha puja, will find Kallar a good training ground. For those keen on Yoga and meditation, the ashram provides a very conducive surrounding and facilities. For those who seek answers to their queries can engage in satsang with Tavayogi and have their doubts cleared.
I remember in the days when I stayed away from temples and worship for various reasons, I still took my children over to the temples occasionally, so that they would not be cut off entirely from our beliefs, culture, tradition and our society. I am glad good sense prevailed then. I did not desert them in their times of need but carried out my responsibility as a parent.
Every rung in the ladder has a purpose. Let us not ridicule another for his belief or practice. We shall all reach the kingdom of Erai in good time.