When the learned decipher the songs of the Siddhas and chose to highlight the verses that pertain to the Siddha's radical view of rituals and customs, breaking it in many ways, this causes further confusion in an already confused society.
Many take the songs of Sivavakiyar, for instance, to shoot down idol worship, temple worship, chanting mantras and other rituals, claiming that Sivavakiyar did not condone these practices. But there is an idol for Sivavakiyar in most Siddha temples or ashrams. His painting is worshipped too. We recite his name in the long list of Siddhas. Should we then remove him from the temples, paintings and list of names? If his works are likened to be highly philosophical in nature, the irony is that he starts writing his collection of songs by dedicating the very first song to Lord Ganapathy, " கரியதோர் எழுத்தை யுன்னி ... கரியதோர் முகத்தை யொத்த கற்பகத்தைக் கைதொழக் .."
Man prefers to debate about Erai rather than get on the ground to experience Erai. Agathiyar brought us safely away from those who engage in endless debate, reminding us sternly not to engage with them. Instead, he brought us to experience him, gain the state of Agathiyam, by starting with the basics. He made us visit temples, he made us commission his statue and worship him by performing libation or abhisegam, dressing him up, garlanding him, feeding him and singing his praises. He brought us to continue worshipping the whole pantheon of Gods and Goddesses including the ancestral deities and village deities and many lesser known deities too. He brought us to respect all forms of worship and practice and not ridicule the faith and beliefs of others. He never segregated nor alienated any path, discipline, practice, form, name or deity or guru. He never pushed away the non-vegetarians. He never ignored the thieves and murderers bringing even them under his watchful eyes hoping that one day they too shall change their ways. As he is prapanjam everything comes within him and he in it. He wants us to acknowledge and accept all as him.
Walking through the forest and jungles, staying in the caves overnight, dipping in the ponds and streams, he cut us off from the comfort of our homes momentarily. Instead, he gave us valuable insights into what life was in his times. Praying at the abodes associated with the Siddhas, he brought them to be present among us and bless us. Reciting their names, chanting their mantras, performing rituals of lighting the sacred fire or homam, or performing the libation of abhisegam connected us with them. Although we carried out every dictate of the Siddhas, we never imagined that these means to connect with them would bring results. As my wife says today we have created a portal for them to take the bridge over to our plane. We have had visitations from the divine. The days of going in search of them have ended. They are living with us now. The only thing we need to do is to invite them first into our homes and then into our hearts and finally merge with them even while living in this mortal frame. Mission accomplished! No further attempt or effort is needed. No further seeking is required. No further guru is required. No further mastering of techniques or practices is required. You do not get conned no more. You do not get disappointed. You need not part with your hard earned cash to frauds and crooks. You become contented. Everything settles down: the search, the seeking, the talking, the discussions, the debates, the readings, and even the thinking. You come within yourself, you now begin to connect with your breath. The Japa or chant is repeated without your effort in, day and night, while awake and also while asleep. You are at peace with yourself and others. You do not create fresh karma. You only need to live out your past karma. Even that had been taken care of by heeding to the advice of the Siddhas, by doing parikaram or undertaking pilgrimages, holy baths and performing other remedies including doing charity. Even that has been further taken care of performing the Homa and libation. Finally, as we go within and now get connected with the cosmic energy, it enters our causal body to rid off the remaining fragments and pieces of the karma; heals the physical body of its illnesses and diseases, and brings change in it, working on the level of the very atoms. We take rebirth in this very body. We get a life extension. As Agathiyar says, "Many have lived as me, in my name before", the divine comes to live in us. We become him.
As the Siddhas have given us various means and its methods to pursue the spiritual path according to our past karma, merits, and temperament, we are at liberty to take up any of the path that best suite us be it Sariyai, Kriyai, Yoga or Gnana. The important thing is we are happy. It is no point following the masses or looking at the numbers frequenting a particular temple or ashram as we would in our selection of restaurants and eateries thinking that the number is directly related to good food. At times it is the lone peddler who has the best food or the lone common man who exhibits Erai's treasures most. Look out for him too in your travels.