When I was growing up we used to pray at small home shrines placed outside the residence we stayed in following in the footsteps of our elders. Later we saw others sacrifice small animals to these deities. The mere arrival of these deities used to scare me and I stayed away. Once the deity leaves, we partake in the cooked meat of the sacrificed animal. We knew nothing about this culture and practice but were a witness to these practices. Growing up further I had those rare moments where I stood before them and they would pass on a message or two. Yet I did not understand their stand and place in our religion but accepted them as these followers did. But I made my stand clear telling them that let us not cross paths. Let thy be in your plane and world and me in mine.
With Agathiyar coming through devotees he began to address these deities that seemed to follow some seekers and devotees. When Agathiyar or another Siddha arrives the deities who shadow these few are asked to stay out. There were times when these deities began to address us too. It was all a wonder and a puzzle to me. Soon Agathiyar made me realize that they too were part of creation and to acknowledge them too. Just as in any government or organization where there exists a hierarchy of positions and personals so too it seems to exist in the subtle and unseen realms and worlds. Ramalinga Adigal who according to his later followers claimed asked not to worship these lesser deities surprised us by telling a devotee to see a particular aspect of these deities for help to solve the threat to his job.
Speaking to Mahindren some days ago, we began to get some clues as to the origin and role of these "lesser" deities as they are labeled. These were the souls of men and women who had lived in the past and due to their leadership and sacrifices attained the state of a Deivam or deity in society. People tended to show their gratitude by serving whatever they ate. In the days before farming became extensive, men were practically hunters. They sacrificed animals to appease the unseen forces in these virgin jungles. Soon these practices were brought into the communities, where they served their deities meat too. Sadly they still do to this day.
Recently Agathiyar and these deities have called on those homes and called upon these hosts and to our surprise asked that they not be served meat. Agathiyar coming through a devotee sent away a few who came on their rounds in the neighborhood sourcing money to host the annual festivity for a deity at a nearby temple, telling them to stop animal sacrifice. These deities too have come through Agathiyar's devotees asking to serve other alternative food and fruits instead. One deity told the host of the festivity to serve a tender coconut instead.
I asked myself if these souls who turned deities in the eyes of the public were caught in a time warp and trapped in their realm, plane, or worlds are stuck in their past states having no reprieve to take another birth and evolve further? Should not we then stop the practice of serving sacrificed meat to these deities, and help these souls evolve further? Knowing that we are willing to bring changes and are willing to change, maybe they are reaching out to us these days to stop this past mistake that was made in the way past by one man that has become a practice to this day.
But knowing people could never stop their appetite for meat intake, they shall keep doing these and pursue existing practices in the name of religion and faith. As we cannot change others, let us stay away instead. As we cannot and should not condemn nor stop beliefs and practices held by others, let us pray that these practices might fade away with time. If these deities are here to dish out favors to their seekers for a reward the Siddhas are here to pass on their Gnanam. These followers might need to take several more births to come out of this and come to know about the Siddhas. Only the Siddhas and the deities themselves can bring a change. Let them work subtly in the hearts of people and bring these changes. If we were to confront and were challenged we cannot bring the Siddhas and deities who voiced these concerns to take the stand, right? The laws of the world and day cannot be applied to these subtle and unseen energies. Neither does the world accept and try to understand these mysteries and mystical worlds.
On the same note, those who champion the cause or say they care for the well-being of animals or have pets in their homes or farm animals should logically refrain from hurting another animal, right? So how is it that they can carry on eating the meat of other animals while looking out for others? Should not their compassion and love for their pets or animals of concern extend to reach out to all animals too?