My daughter is a die-hard fan of The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) having followed all the 22 movies, reviews and behind the scene stories. And so my family went to watch the Avengers Endgame. Coming back home, a friend asked if he could expect a post about the movie. Well, this post is dedicated to him.
It is interesting to note that writer-artist Jim Starlin originally conceived the character Thanos during his college psychology classes.
It is interesting to note that writer-artist Jim Starlin originally conceived the character Thanos during his college psychology classes.
Thanos was a genocidal warlord from Titan, whose own main objective was to bring stability to the universe, as he believed its massive population would inevitably use up the universe's entire supply of resources and condemn it. To complete this goal, Thanos set about tracking down the Infinity Stones, as the combined might could wipe out half the universe. Thanos engaged in a ferocious crusade in order to obtain the Infinity Stones. During his mission, both Thanos and his Black Order invaded multiple planets and slaughtered thousands to gain the stones, including Loki and the Asgardians. Thanos soon found himself challenged by an alliance comprising the universes greatest teams, which included the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy. However, despite facing off against the powerfully combined opposition and the wrath of Thor, Thanos still ultimately triumphed and completed the Infinity Gauntlet, using it to finally complete his goal and had caused the Decimation, resulting in half of all life in the universe being wiped out at the snap of his fingers.
Following the Decimation, Thanos then ensured this could not be reversed by destroying all of the Infinity Stones, resulting in the Avengers tracking him down on Titan II before then being decapitated by Thor. However, in an alternative 2014, Thanos was alerted to the events of the Infinity War by a time traveling Nebula, resulting in him traveling to 2023 and laying siege on the Avengers, as he had just decided to instead wipe out the entire universe and replace it out of revenge for their efforts to stop him. However, Thanos had been just too late to stop the Decimation from being reversed as thousands of heroes came to stop him. Despite all Thanos' best efforts, he was unable to claim victory as Tony Stark had retaken their Iron Gauntlet and decimated Thanos, as well as the Chitauri and Outriders, thus killing the Mad Titan and ending his reign once and for all.(Source: https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Thanos)
Although Thanos is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, that character is prevalent in society and in our midst. Many have become champions of Justice thinking that they are right about issues and others are wrong. They go to the extent of causing severe damage to their reputation and lives. If both the mythical gods, heroes and villains took to face off and bring the issue on hand to an end, through duels, many these days hide behind the social media rather than settle the scores face to face.
Even the great saints had to go through torture and hardship created by the envious and vicious elements in their circle and society. Appar was poisoned, dropped into the sea, and tortured in numerous other ways by the King's men, after believers of a faith Appar was aligned with prior to coming to the worship of Siva, poisoned the King's mind.
First, he was poisoned but with the grace of Lord Shiva the poison turned into nectar. Next, the king’s mahouts were ordered to kill him using the royal elephant, but the elephant obediently circumambulated him. In the third and the last attempt, Appar was tied to a rock and thrown into the sea but the rock started floating and brought him back to the shore at Cuddalore. (Source: https://www.dharisanam.com/pages/thirunavukkarasar-appar)
Abhirami Pattar was put to test when the King's men lowered him into the flames, etc. Even as recent as a couple of centuries ago, Ramalinga Adigal had to face numerous tests and hardship from his enemies. Seeking to know the art of making gold and returning disappointed, some instigated others to harass him and lodged reports with the authorities that he was hoarding gold. When he sang that the death could be revived, the villagers were instigated by his enemies to dump the bodies of dead relatives and carcasses of animals in his court at Vadalur and challenged him to bring them back alive, not accepting that those were the words of Erai. When he pointed out the false believes and practices to his followers, spiritual giants of his time confronted him accusing him of poisoning the minds of the common man. When he built the Satya Gnana Sabai on the instruction of Erai and Erai had promised to arrive and move in, many questioned him why Arutperunjhoti Andavar did not come even after 150 years had passed by? One has to understand that Erai only comes when we are prepared in all ways to receive him. People were not ready to receive him, hence he did not make his appearance. Day by day people harassed him. He told Erai that he had failed to bring the change as desired by Erai. He decided to leave. He brought out and placed the lighted lamp that he had worshipped all these while in his room at Sitthivalaga Thirumaligai, asking his followers to worship the light as Erai. After two months, on 30 January 1874, he began to write the last song for his Thiruarutpa.
என் சாமி எனது துரை என்னுயிர் நாயகனார்
இன்று வந்து நான் இருக்கும் இடத்தில் அமர்கின்றார்
பின்சாரும் இரண்டரை நாழிகைக்குள்ளே எனது
பேருடம்பில் கலந்து உளத்தே பிரியாமல் இருப்பார்
தன்சாதியுடைய பெருந்தவத்தாலே நான் தான்
சாற்றுகின்றேன் அறிந்து இதுதான் சத்தியம் சத்தியமே
He paused a moment. Both Lord Siva and Parvathi gave their darshan. He worshipped them with his tears rolling down his cheeks. Lord Siva completes the song for him.
மின்சாரம் இடை மடவாய் என்மொழி நின்தனுக்கே
வெளியாகும் இரண்டரை நாழிகை கடந்த போதே.
(Based on "Arutperunjothi Gnana Siddhar", by B.Kamalakkannan, Vanathi Pathippakam, Chennai, 2008.)
Tavayogi too had to go through his fair share of troubles that were initiated by some of his dissatisfied disciples. Eventually, all the saints came out of their troubles, shining in society, respected and worshipped.
All good that one does will have an evil counterpart or elements opposing it. Many wars were fought in history and in fiction. All these centred over possession and control of land, wealth and women. The battle continues till this day.
It takes years to build an empire but just minutes to bring it down. An empire is brought down by either the misconduct of the king or master or in other instances through the treachery of a disciple or his subjects. So is it with ashrams.
One has to be always vigilant that he never slips. Similarly one has to be on the lookout for weaknesses in the chain. However one can take the hand of the divine to look out for impending dangers as we cannot always be on the lookout as in our sleep. Bring the divine to protect us at every moment. He shall guide us well.
Dangers lurk all around us and hits us when we are least aware and when we least expect. If we think the material world is full of hatred, jealousy and treachery, the spiritual path too is at risk of these dangers. Tavayogi had warned me of such dangers. Along the way, I was blessed to be kept away from such dangers. Today Agathiyar stands guard over us at ATM keeping danger at bay.
Bringing the gods and goddesses into our homes and hearts initially through worship and rituals, that transforms into love for the divine, creates a long-standing bond between Erai and devotee.
We are given many choices in life. Picking an option will open up the relevant doors and bring forth specific situations. Picking another option will lay out before us a new set of challenges. Opting out will bring us to an entirely new environment. Along the way, whichever path we choose to walk, will bring strangers along. Some will move on while others might cling on. Relationships are built. Friendships are forged. Enemies are made. Life is interesting only if we have all these spices thrown in.
One must learn to say no if he is to avoid any impending danger and future problems. It saves us a lot of sorrow and worries later in life by saying no on the onset and in the beginning. Listen to the first thought that comes to us for it is always the right one, as it is not adulterated by our judgement and the opinions of others.
I have stopped encouraging people to see the Nadi for many have become so dependant on it to the extent they are not using the free will and choice given to them to decide even the petty and minor issues in their daily lives. These days I suggest they take up prayers instead. Let Erai speak to us in prayers rather than through his mediums and tools.
We always expect Erai to fulfil our wishes. This would surmise to we being the employer and he, our employee, or we the master and he being the Genie. Erai is not obligated to do all our asking. He has his own plans for us. His plans could oppose that of ours. But he has our wellbeing at heart. If only we listen to him rather then our thoughts. If only we see the signs written clearly before us before taking the leap. Awareness of each moment is important if we are to make sound decisions. With Erai by our side, we shall never follow the fault in our stars.