Having boarded Agathiyar Airlines, as we take our seats and strap on the belts, the pilot comes on air to welcome us. While traveling with him, Agathiyar took time to spelled out the ways and means of saving our souls. Agathiyar surprises us with the message and assurance that all of us shall eventually reach the state of Jeevan Mukti. But we need to come out of Maya first. If all this while we have been working on the body that is only a sheath or covering, adorning it with cosmetics, clothing and ornaments, bathing it, feeding it, and praising the self and each other and inflating the ego, now he wants us to work on the soul. He wants us to take responsibility for our actions, and change accordingly, only then the soul comes out of Maya. The soul needs to grief over the sufferings of others. Then compassion begins to well in us. It's only when the soul feels the pain of another that it shall come to and remain on the path of the Siddhas. We need to work on this before we disembark. He says he shall guide us further from there.
Looking back at this journey it is rather amazing to note how Agathiyar took us by the hand to walk his path, grooming us into strong personalities who understand the reasons for our birth, and the workings of karma; who take measures to rectify the wrongs done; who defy all wrong teachings, who first serve Erai through Sariyai, then conducting prayers through Kriyai, followed by bringing the divine energy within through Yogam and finally yearning to merge with the Divine in Jnana.
Bringing us to visit temples as a devotee or Bakta, he then introduced us to Kriyai through having us conduct and perform rituals. Besides telling us that a simple ritual like lighting the sacrificial fire or homam can dispose of our karma, he brings to our attention that this simple act would save the world too. From asking for individual desires to be fulfilled while at the altar or temple, he brought us to perform rituals for the sake of humanity. Then he brought us to gurus and upagurus who introduced us to Yogam. The techniques and practices helped enhance the physical body to bring it to a state of purity preparing it for the descent of the Divine. Now the Divine comes directly to bring us Jnana.
Looking back at this journey it is rather amazing to note how Agathiyar took us by the hand to walk his path, grooming us into strong personalities who understand the reasons for our birth, and the workings of karma; who take measures to rectify the wrongs done; who defy all wrong teachings, who first serve Erai through Sariyai, then conducting prayers through Kriyai, followed by bringing the divine energy within through Yogam and finally yearning to merge with the Divine in Jnana.
Bringing us to visit temples as a devotee or Bakta, he then introduced us to Kriyai through having us conduct and perform rituals. Besides telling us that a simple ritual like lighting the sacrificial fire or homam can dispose of our karma, he brings to our attention that this simple act would save the world too. From asking for individual desires to be fulfilled while at the altar or temple, he brought us to perform rituals for the sake of humanity. Then he brought us to gurus and upagurus who introduced us to Yogam. The techniques and practices helped enhance the physical body to bring it to a state of purity preparing it for the descent of the Divine. Now the Divine comes directly to bring us Jnana.
Bringing us to understand our role and true purpose in taking this birth, Agathiyar slowly brought us to understand the soul within and work on it too. We understood the soul to be the bridge that connected the body with the spirit. He brought us to strengthen the soul or gain Atma Balam by using the body as a tool. If initially we were told to gather merits or points by carrying out acts of dharma and service, leading to an accumulation of good karma that can be used to offset and balance those wrongs done intentionally or otherwise, slowly he brought us to realize that beyond and above collecting Bonus Link points that can be exchanged for gifts later on, these acts of charity serve the very purpose of dissolving the stone-hearted who never gave a second glance or look at the plight of the poor and hungry. If through worship the soul cried for the grace of the divine, his blessings, or arul and darshan or vision, now by doing charity, his soul now griefs for the pain and sufferings of the a small section of society who are exposed to continuous suffering and misery. Then his glance falls on the sufferings and pain of animals too. Ramalinga Adigal went a step ahead and it pained him to see the plants and crops wither. Compassion arises in the hearts. Only when the soul griefs for the sufferings of others shall one come out of Maya says Agathiyar. The day we win over Maya and its grip and hold on us, is the day we could possibly come to the fold of the Siddhas. The day compassion arises in us is the day we gain access to the Siddhas. Hence the Siddha Margam is not for the masses as seen in Bakti and the temples, says Agathiyar strongly. It is definitely not for window shoppers and spectators. It is not for people who come to fulfill their material desires. If in Bakti we served Erai as a servant first and later as a son, in Siddha Marga the divine and his apostles come as companions to prepare us for the merger or union or Yogam that takes place later. In the moments of union, the Divine comes as the Mouna Guru or Silent Guru and Jnana dawns.
Agathiyar has asked us to drop all questions to avoid further confusion. The jnana or wisdom that sprouts out of all the experiences he shall give henceforth will answer all our doubts, queries and questions. He asks us to seek help from the Siddhas in all our ventures. Just a calling out of their names is sufficient for the Siddha to answer our call. The most compassionate Siddhas at times lament at the happenings that man has brought onto him and his world. We are told that there is much to be done and that both Agathiyar and Lord Muruga shall guide us further. He asked us to prepare ourselves to take on the new commitments. He asked us to continue feeding the hungry as he reiterated that the food shall turn to become medicine for them. Unlike common belief, Agathiyar reveals that this path is not for the masses as in bakthi. He says the number of devotees on the Siddha path will shrink with those who came as spectators leaving and only the determined hardcore aspirants shall remain. Once the devotees shed their hold on Maya they shall seek out the path of the Siddhas again. As for now we are asked to step back and watch the divine play take place for the stage is now theirs and the game is no more in our hands.