When Agathiyar revealed that the Atma does not carry the imprints of karma, we were glad that he had come to correct the misconception that many including I had and that I had carried in many of my earlier posts. Agathiyar revealed that contrary to this understanding, the Atma helps clear our karma by showing us the way. Once karma has cleared the search to know the Atma intensifies. His search for worldly gains loses its intensity. His seeking would be solely on knowing the Atma (Agathiyar) and reaching him.
ஆன்மா உனது கர்ம வினை தாங்கி வருவது அல்ல, ஆனால் ஆன்மாவே உனது கர்ம வினையைச் சரிசெய்வதற்கு உதவி புரியும். கர்மவை சரி செய்த பின், ஆன்மாவின் தேடல் அதிகமாகி மனிதனின் அன்றாட தேடல் தீர்ந்து போகும். அவன் தேடல் முழுதாய் என்னையே தேடி வர முயற்சி செய்யும்.
The Atma is revealed in many ways to many. For the simplest of devotees, the Atma comes before them for a minute fraction of a second or moment as they go on pilgrimages to holy spots that pilgrims take on. They will miss out on this provided they stay focused on their intent in going on pilgrimages. We too were blessed with these sights, miracles, and experiences while on pilgrimages. On the other extreme, others report that they see their Atma in their meditation.
Only the Atma knows the purpose of our birth. When I asked Agathiyar what was mine he asked me to go within and traverse the many levels or layers and stages or states as if going on an internal pilgrimage. It shall be revealed he said.
The Atma that was once with the Param known then as Paramatma, takes the new Jeeva that is taking shape in the womb of a mother, as its new abode and residence. Taking on the name Jeevatma in the physical world the Atma that is with us at birth accompanies us for a period of time at the beginning of our journey. It is later veiled from us for reasons that Agathiyar is not disclosing at this present moment. But we figured out that as we had to pay our dues to the laws of karma, the Atma could only watch and not interfere. Once the debt is settled the Atma draws the veil aside to show itself. This can happen during deep meditation where the very heat of our Tapas burns our karma to ashes or at the pilgrimage and sacred spots that we head to battering the cold weather, heat, sun, and rain, and the difficulties accounted. The Atma helps us rid the remaining karma through Tavam or austerities and Aram or acts of charity. It then points out the path back to our real and permanent abode or "home". It brings us to a guru or the guru arrives in a timely manner. The guru then takes care of our journey. When Tavayogi was shown to me in my Nadi reading of the Gnana Kaandam, and he volunteered to bring me places of interest related to Siddhas, I never for once questioned him about our itinerary or the accommodations. I went with the flow. He led the way and I followed. I saw many miracles take place when I surrendered to the Nadi and the Guru.
Agathiyar made me understand that the Atma had met me at these places. The temples and his abode were the places where the Atma came before me, making me break down in pain, joy, and ecstasy. The pain of separation tore through me the moment I set eyes on the divinity that presided and resided in these temples. At the same time, the joy and bliss in reuniting with the divine came on in torrents. These were all moments of engagement with the Atma akin to moments where lovers meet each other after a long separation. Seeing the Atma again brought me into a state of ecstasy. These moments of coming face to face with it brought on extreme contortion of the body, muscles, and veins with screams and cries of pain, rejoice, and ecstasy all at one go. The Atma comes on as an intense vibration overpowering our thoughts and body at these places of worship. It takes control of the body and breath, Udal and Uyir momentarily, stunning and paralyzing us. This vibration is Atma/Agathiyan/Erai. This is Atma Darisanam.
Atma Darisanam takes place in most of the temples. Hence the reason to go on pilgrimages. The Atma then draws us to the path back to being Param. Transcending the vibration that is Atma we reach the larger state of vibration that of Agathiyan/Erai. The Atma that is not visible to our naked eyes comes as the vibration to those who are receptive to it. To those who cannot connect with it as yet the Atma stands before them as the deities sculptured in granite, stone, and metal in these temples or come as others. To one who is ready to take the plunge, the Atma comes as the Guru. How wonderful. No one is left out. It is just a matter of time. For some, it happens early while for others it happens late in life. The handful of youngsters who came knocking on the door of my home AVM after their Nadi readings are blessed to come early into the path as Agathiyar informed them. He told them, "Look at Shanmugam. He only stepped in in his forties. You came in your twenties."
- He says Akaayam (space or ether) was split into two halves with the first half becoming the Atma, while
- the second half split further into four portions.
- The first quarter teaming up with Vaayu resulted in Manas;
- the next quarter became Buddhi and Arivu when teamed with Agni or Fire;
- the third quarter teaming with water gave forth to Siththam, and finally,
- Ahangkaaram came to be in coalition with Earth filling the fourth quarter.
- Vaayu or air was split into two halves too.
- Viyaanan became the first half while
- the second half was subdivided further into four variations.
- Vaayu with Akaayam became Samana Vaayu;
- Vaayu with Agni or Fire gave forth to Uthaana Vaayu;
- the third portion of Vaayu teamed up with Water to become Prana Vaayu; and
- the fourth, Abaana Vaayu was a result of Vaayu teaming with Prithvi or Earth.
- Agni or Fire too was split into two halves,
- the first half becoming the eyes while
- the second half was split further into four.
- Teaming with Akaayam it gave rise to the ears;
- the second teamed with Vaayu to take on the form of the skin;
- the third teamed with Water to become the mouth and tongue, and
- teaming with Earth, the nose was formed too.
- Water split into two halves giving rise to the Tanmaathirai namely
- taste in the first half and split further into
- four portions in the second half.
- Teaming with Akaayam, the hearing came about.
- Teaming with Vaayu touch was sensed.
- Sight came to be, teaming with Agni, and finally,
- the smell came forth with the addition of Earth.
- Earth too split into two halves.
- The first half became the Anus.
- The second half split further took on the following:
- Speech in combination with Akaayam;
- Hands were formed in combination with Vaayu;
- Legs came to be formed combining with Agni;
- Teaming with Earth the organs of pleasure came to be.