I am grateful to Mr. Sekaran at my former office, who passed me Paramahansa Yogananda's "Autobiography of A Yogi" just before he resigned his job to become a monk at Yogananda's Ranchi Ashram in 1994. Before reading this book, I only knew the deities, Gods and Goddesses whom our parents showed us as paintings in our home altar and as statues in the temples they brought us to as kids. As a kid, my mother would share stories of the divine walking among us on the face of the earth, and one fine day decided to leave for their abode, the last being Lord Narayana, who gifted everyone who came to see him off with a form of worship. I only came to know that the divine does walk the earth as gurus after reading this book.
Similarly, I only came to know of the Siddhas and their Nadi when the late Dr. Krishnan, astrologer, Siddha physician, and friend, told me about them in 1996. But as I knew no Nadi reader back then, I left it at that. Then, in 2002, my colleague Muralidaran Saminathan spoke to me about his experience in reading his Nadi in 2000. I got excited and asked him to book an appointment for me, which he did. That is how I came to the fold of the Siddhas and under the shadows of the gurus, Supramania Swami and Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal, whom they had me meet in 2003 and 2005, respectively.
My home is a living witness to the wonders of the Siddhas and their practices, and to their predictions. What was foretold in the Nadi has come to take place.
Shivavakiyar speaks about the four stages Sariyai, Kiriyai, Yogam, and Gnanam, describing them as a means to attain Salokam, Sameepam, Sarupam, and Sayuchyam, respectively.
தெளிந்த நற் சரியை தன்னில் சென்று சாலோகம் பெறும்
தெளிந்த நற் கிரியை பூசை சேரலாம் சாமீபமே
தெளிந்த நல்ல யோகம் தன்னில் சேரலாகும் சாரூபம்
தெளிந்த ஞானம் நான்கிலும் சேரலாம் சாயுச்யமே 436
First, living in the world of Siva or Saalokam, it was an external journey of going places, visiting temples, which is commonly known as Sariyai. Then, with the coming of the Siddhas, it turned to seeking out caves and sacred abodes of the Siddhas. Soon, in taking up rituals like libation to their statues and lighting the fire pit ourselves, known as Kriyai, we bridged both our worlds, that of ours and the Siddhas, coming close to them or Saameepam. Next, taking up Yogam, we come into their folds, taking on their ways in all manner, or Saarupam. In attaining Jnanam, we merge with them, Saayucham.
Reaching Sahasrara, my purpose was made known to me as Agathiyar had said earlier of this journey. I am to open the doors to my home for those out there seeking solace, and Agathiyar shall mend their hearts. I am to give an ear to their problems, and Agathiyar shall relieve them of their burden. I am to help them start the journey, too, just as Tavayogi did start mine, telling me, "Only now the actual journey begins, my son," as we left for the Kutralam hills.