Sometime back, an author of several books messaged me, saying she was currently working on a book about the Siddhas. I told her that before she writes on the Siddhas, she has to come to their worship, engage with them, put into practice what they have given, and see their results for herself; otherwise, it would just be a repetition of what is already available out there, and what has already been written or heard, much of which is laced with myths. I saw this in the early years of my search, where each and every book on the Siddhas carried the same content. I realize now that is the reason Tavayogi, instead of holding a class for me, took me into the woods and jungles and had me stay in the caves overnight to give me a glimpse of the life he lived as a mendicant and Sanyasin. He wanted to give me the experience. Tavayogi, during our walks, pointed out to the skies, telling me that the Siddhas were showering flower petals on us. He brought my attention to the sandalwood aroma and other fragrances in the air. He pointed out that Agathiyar's eyes opened and closed in his granite statue at Agasthiyampali. Later, Agathiyar showed us the same in his bronze statue at AVM. These days, anyone who steps before Agathiyar's statue always asks if he is watching. Agathiyar revealed that the Siddhas were among us, and sitting with us during our Puja, at times unnoticed and at other times, the reason behind the charged-up atmosphere during these moments. One has to experience being in the presence of these Siddhas. Agathiyar said that just as we spoke about them, they too speak about us.
The whole world is a creation and part of divinity that our ancestors chose to depict as images and give individual names. Agathiyar says that he is the very Prapanjam. One has to experience the Prapanjam. Ramalinga Adigal taught us to raise our hands and reach out to Prapanjam. Initially, one connects to the energy Prana that sustains us through Pranayama. Then he connects to the Prapanjam. He then connects with the other life forms, plants, animals, and people. I was surprised to come across an article in a Tamil magazine written by a learned Prof saying Prapanjam was inert and lifeless. If he had the experience, he would know that it is very much alive and keeping us alive, too. Without the much-needed experience, what is spoken or written would merely be an analysis of what is read or heard and laced with personal opinion. Tavayogi told me that he decided to write his first book, "Andamum Pindamum," after another spiritual leader had misled others through his writings and speech. I guess if something is left uncorrected, it would become the norm, as many would pass the word around and adhere to it. The truth would be lost forever.
Speaking to a friend in New Delhi, he told me that we are getting an overdose of information from all around us, which we agreed that much of it is not needed. Medicine, if taken as prescribed, cures us. If taken in excess could kill. I guess the reason Agathiyar, who had asked me to share my experiences and the internal changes and transformation taking place within, recently asked me to stop writing, is to give readers a break and a breather, and have them ingest what has been written thus far and discover for themselves its truth before pursuing further.