Besides asking me to venture to know Sivam, Agathiyar asked to know the Atma too. This was the next phase, he indicated.
Agathiyar tells us that the Atma has five Kooru or sections, divisions, parts, or classifications.
ஆன்மாவாகியது 5 கூறு தத்துவங்களைக் கொண்டது.
Taking up the call from Agathiyar to learn about these 5 Kooru, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattva_(Shaivism), we come to know that,
Suddha tattvas that are 5 in number are functioning in the absolute level, which leads to the Five Acts or Panchakritya, namely: Creation; Sustenance; Destruction; Concealment; and Grace. Can we then safely deduce that the Atma does the above 5 acts, that is, it manifests from the Paramatma, it self-sustains, conceals itself for a time period, comes to destroy the veil of ignorance, and finally showers its grace, bringing us back to its true abode? The Atma can do all this as it is not tainted and is pure. Our actions do not taint it. It stands above and beyond all our actions. Neither does it carry the burden and guilt of our past actions or Karma. It is the Silent Watcher, or as the elders name it, the Mana Satchi.
The Suddha tattvas that are called pure because they are directly created by Shiva himself, describe internal aspects of the Absolute, which is in its pure conscious state, devoid of any desire (Iccha), action (Kriya), or knowledge (Jnana) related properties. This is the state of Siva.
The Atma that is devoid of desire, action, and knowledge-related properties, then is pure consciousness. It is Siva.