Sunday 28 April 2019

COMING TO UNDERSTAND THE DIVINE SONGS

NS Shan posted a message in our group of his observation, "Your findings, experiences...are all consistent with have that has been said and experienced by others n their experiences.... With a few " Individualised " extra experiences for you to understand and guide others...."

True to his observation Agathiyar has individualized and customized the path for us. 

ஓடிஓடி ஓடிஓடி உட்கலந்த சோதியை
நாடி நாடி நாடிநாடி நாட்களும் கழிந்துபோய்
வாடி வாடி வாடிவாடி மாண்டுபோன மாந்தர்கள்
கோடிகோடி கோடிகோடி எண்ணிறந்த கோடியே.

While Sivavakiyar says that all the chase after the Jhothi that was all the while within one, was fruitless albeit the days were wasted, and tens of millions died in disappointment in not attaining it, Supramania Swami tells me that no effort of ours goes to waste. These are all stepping stones to a better understanding of life and its mysteries.

What appeared to be mere songs that were difficult to comprehend, the songs of the saints and Siddhas have brought on a new meaning now after many years of worship to them. We seem to be making some headway and progress too on the path.

The only means to truly understand the content and the true meaning of these songs for the said Siddhas is for them to appear and elaborate it to us directly. Only Ramalinga Adigal can tell us what he meant in the songs he wrote. Similarly, it is with the songs of others. All other means of interpretation will be masked and tainted by the opinion of the one translating them. The mastery of the language and the extent or limits of understanding of the individual will determine the outcome of the translation too. On the contrary, Agathiyar tells us first to worship the saint or Siddha, asking him to come within and reveal the true knowledge behind his verses. 

Manikavasagar in his Sivapuranam mentions the same.

சிவன் அவன் என்சிந்தையுள் நின்ற அதனால்
அவன் அருளாலே அவன்தாள் வணங்கிச்
சிந்தை மகிழச் சிவ புராணம் தன்னை
முந்தை வினைமுழுதும் ஓய உரைப்பன் யான்.

Agathiyar tells, us immaterial whether we know the language in which the song is written in, we shall come to read it with their blessings. Hence the need to worship the saints and Siddha is indeed necessary to delve into and understand the essence and mysteries of their songs.

என்னிலே இருந்தஒன்றை யான் அறிந்ததில்லையே
என்னிலே இருந்தஒன்றை யான் அறிந்து கொண்டபின்
என்னிலே இருந்தஒன்றை யாவர் காண வல்லரோ
என்னிலே இருந்திருந்து யான்உ ணர்ந்து கொண்டெனே.

True to what Sivavakiyar says, we did not know of the existence of "That" which was within us, till Agathiyar opened our eyes to it. Today we have begun to cherish "That" with all our heart and soul.

நினைப்பதொன்று கண்டிலேன் நீயலாது வேறிலை
நினைப்புமாய் மறப்புமாய் நின்றமாயை மாயையோ
அனைத்துமாய் அகண்டமாய் அனாதிமுன் அனாதியாய்
எனக்குள்நீ உனக்குள் நான் இருக்குமாற தெங்ஙனே.

The thought of "That" is held fast throughout the day while our consciousness slips into "That" too during sleep. "That" can have various forms and names to others. To us "That" is Agathiyar. Today we know he is in us and we in him.