There is pain both in the external and also within. While the pain that comes as a result of injury and wound, illness and disease, etc that is basically physical in nature, and anguish and agony that is suffered mentally, the pain within is felt by the soul that yearns to return home or as Frank J.Alexander in his "In the Hours of Meditation", Advaita Ashrama, Calcutta, 1993, defines it "the ecstatic anguish of not having fully realized the truth."
This excruciating pain is not relieved by applying a balm or taking a pain killer. Only the graceful look, gentle touch and soothing words, complemented with compassionate, love, and kindness, of guru and Erai can ever heal the burning fire within one.
It is rather surprising and sad to note that those who say they seek the divine, knowing of the many gifts and treasures that come their way with practice and austerities fall for them losing sight of their objective in attaining the state and status of the divine. They tend to be attracted by these by-products of devotion and bhakti, rituals and practices. They go for the Astama Siddhis, and the many other powers that come with these practices.
This excruciating pain is not relieved by applying a balm or taking a pain killer. Only the graceful look, gentle touch and soothing words, complemented with compassionate, love, and kindness, of guru and Erai can ever heal the burning fire within one.
It is rather surprising and sad to note that those who say they seek the divine, knowing of the many gifts and treasures that come their way with practice and austerities fall for them losing sight of their objective in attaining the state and status of the divine. They tend to be attracted by these by-products of devotion and bhakti, rituals and practices. They go for the Astama Siddhis, and the many other powers that come with these practices.
As Tavayogi told me with sadness, that no one comes to gain Jnana or wisdom, rather only asking that their immediate needs be granted and leave. Supramania Swami too lamented that they come for material needs and solutions to their daily problems not wanting to venture beyond that.
Many others come to establishments and gurus with the thought of wanting to know God but deviate from their objective looking into other trivial matters and state of affairs at these places and preying into others, and finally walking out carrying hatred and enmity within.
While the saint's songs give strength and motivation, hope and faith to an otherwise weakened soul that has given up on life, the guru's words give strength to the soul. This leads one to gain Soul Power or Atma Balam.
A genuine seeker would come to his Ista Devata or guru with love, wanting to emulate him in compassion, love, humbleness, gentleness, care, etc rather than seek the art of turning metal to gold, gain Siddhis, gain power, wanting authority, etc. He seeks to adopt the nature of his guru, and adopt his ideals, and carry on his mission. He seeks to become divine in nature, bringing a transformation both externally and internally, turning metal into gold in the true sense.
Marshall Govindan in his book “Babaji and the 18 Siddhars Kriya Yoga Tradition”, 1991, Kriya Yoga Publications, Quebec, Canada explains this transformation.
Marshall Govindan in his book “Babaji and the 18 Siddhars Kriya Yoga Tradition”, 1991, Kriya Yoga Publications, Quebec, Canada explains this transformation.
In many verses (of the Thiru Arutpa) Ramalinga sings of how his ‘impure body’ of ‘impure elements’ was transformed into a pure body of pure elements, called a golden body of immeasurable carats (Swarna Deham). He sings that one has to think incessantly, until he feels and melts with love for god. In such a melting mood one bursts into tears and sings praise of god and soothing warmth is produced in the aspirant. When this universal love and sacred warmth develops, the body as well as the soul became prepared for the descent of the grace, in the form of light. When this occurs, the material body of impure elements is transformed into a ‘body of pure light’, emitting a golden hue.How many of us stand before him asking that we want to become him? When we stand before him asking for riches and comfort, KR Sivakanthan in his "Sittargal Tathuvamum Yoga Neri Muraigalum", Tirunelveli Then India, Saiva Sitthantha Noor Pathippu Kazhagam, Chennai, 2003, sets an example for us to emulate.
ஞானம் வேண்டேன்
நல்வேதம் வேண்டேன்
சூரியக்கலை வேண்டேன்
சந்திரக்கலை வேண்டேன்
சுழிமுனை வேண்டேன்
அட்டமாசித்தி வேண்டேன்
ஆறு ஆதாரம் வேண்டேன்
அதற்கு மேலும் வேண்டேன்
நின் பாதாரவிந்தம் வேண்டும்
நின் கருணை வேண்டும்
நின் பாதாரவிந்தம் மறவா மனம் வேண்டும்
பூண்டி ஈசா சரணம் சரணம் சரணம்
I do not seek knowledge, I do not seek the Vedas,
I do not seek to know the art of breath control,
I do not seek the eight Siddhis,
I do not seek to know the chakras, and more,
I seek your Holy Feet, I seek your Grace,
I seek a heart that never forgets your Holy Feet,
Poondi Esa, I take refuge in you.
Manikavasagar too pleads only for the opportunity to weep at his feet, brushing all other desires aside.
உற்றாரை யான் வேண்டேன்
ஊர் வேண்டேன்
பேர் வேண்டேன்
கற்றாரை யான் வேண்டேன்
கற்பனவும் இனி அமையும்
குற்றாலத்து அமர்ந்து உறையும் கூத்தா
உன் குரை கழற்கே கற்றாவின் மனம் போலக்
கசிந்து உருக வேண்டுவனே
When we begin to refuse all the gifts that are showered on us, we can escape the huge responsibilities that come with it and its associated problems. Having certain powers in us and standing in society builds the ego in us as people come seeking us for advice and solutions. Soon a following revolves around us. People come, they stay and they elevate us to a state only to drop us and stamp on us the very moment they are at crossroads with us. Having the gift of prediction brings its own set of problems through people who do not have any inkling as in the case of the Nadi and of how these predictions work and shoot it down the moment things do not move in their favor. A gift of being a guru or the gift of running an ashram brings an organized attack from disenchanted followers.
Refusing all these treasures and gifts of love from Erai, he can only give himself in the end. In a Nadi revelation, Agathiyar reveals the extent of humbleness in his student Bhogar. When once Agathiyar asked Bhogar if he knew Mother Goddess, Bhogar replied he did not know. When asked if he knew Lord Vishnu, he replied he did not know too. When Agathiyar asked if he knew Lord Muruga, again Bhogar to everyone's surprised answered "no". How could one who was behind the making and installation of Lord Muruga's statue at Palani not know him? When asked if he knew about the herbs that he had sought, collected and done extensive research on, he replied in the negative. Bhogar had replied that he did not know to all the questions put forward by Agathiyar. This surprised all those gathered. Finally, when asked what he knew, Bhogar answered that he only knew the Holy Feet of his Guru, Agathiyar.
Refusing all these treasures and gifts of love from Erai, he can only give himself in the end. In a Nadi revelation, Agathiyar reveals the extent of humbleness in his student Bhogar. When once Agathiyar asked Bhogar if he knew Mother Goddess, Bhogar replied he did not know. When asked if he knew Lord Vishnu, he replied he did not know too. When Agathiyar asked if he knew Lord Muruga, again Bhogar to everyone's surprised answered "no". How could one who was behind the making and installation of Lord Muruga's statue at Palani not know him? When asked if he knew about the herbs that he had sought, collected and done extensive research on, he replied in the negative. Bhogar had replied that he did not know to all the questions put forward by Agathiyar. This surprised all those gathered. Finally, when asked what he knew, Bhogar answered that he only knew the Holy Feet of his Guru, Agathiyar.
This is the approach we need to take. We need to serve the Guru. We need to gain their trust. We need to prove our worth. And more then anything else we need to be patient. The wise have always been reminding us to adopt tolerance and be patient in all situations. Many times Agathiyar has asked of us to be patient and obedient. It was to buy time so that we would gain maturity in due time from further day to day experiences and eventually come to understand the play of God and accept everything in good faith. When this knowledge dawns on us, we understand them and their divine play and become one with them, both in thought and deed. Taking on the nature of the guru or divine, we then tend to spiritualize everything we come into contact with, as Frank wrote, "Spiritualize everything thou doest. God is always near not in the physical sense but in the spiritual sense."
Frank says, "In the inner world of meditation there can be no darkness for all is effulgence. There can be no ignorance for all is Jnana. With the acquirement of spiritual knowledge, all shackles are broken." Let us take on the nature of the guru and the divine rather than seek power and greed. The only mantra right now for us is the mantra of appreciation and gratefulness - "Thank you Agatheesa! Thank you Agatheesa! Thank you Agatheesa!" One cannot repay his kindness. When we find it difficult and refuse to forgive another, the most compassionate father forgives us. He sets us on the right path reminding us often not to stray. But even that he regards as a necessary experience for us. He takes us back into his folds. He refines us. He polishes us. He makes us fit to take on the task he has in store for us. He makes us missionaries and secretaries of his church. He sets us on a venture getting us to aid in his mission and fulfilling his wishes. He oversees our accomplishments. He honors us. He gives us our dues by rewarding us with gifts. But the idea here is to refuse all that he gives. He will keep on giving. Refuse to accept them. He will give further. Say no to that too. Eventually, he will have nothing else to give but to give himself. Mission accomplished!
Frank says, "In the inner world of meditation there can be no darkness for all is effulgence. There can be no ignorance for all is Jnana. With the acquirement of spiritual knowledge, all shackles are broken." Let us take on the nature of the guru and the divine rather than seek power and greed. The only mantra right now for us is the mantra of appreciation and gratefulness - "Thank you Agatheesa! Thank you Agatheesa! Thank you Agatheesa!" One cannot repay his kindness. When we find it difficult and refuse to forgive another, the most compassionate father forgives us. He sets us on the right path reminding us often not to stray. But even that he regards as a necessary experience for us. He takes us back into his folds. He refines us. He polishes us. He makes us fit to take on the task he has in store for us. He makes us missionaries and secretaries of his church. He sets us on a venture getting us to aid in his mission and fulfilling his wishes. He oversees our accomplishments. He honors us. He gives us our dues by rewarding us with gifts. But the idea here is to refuse all that he gives. He will keep on giving. Refuse to accept them. He will give further. Say no to that too. Eventually, he will have nothing else to give but to give himself. Mission accomplished!