we spoke about siddhars and siva siddhars in our previous post. They are capable of extraordinary feats which are beyond the realm of the physical body. But they are here neither to showcase those feats nor are they interested in them. They know that they have to stay in this world to burn off the last of their remaining karmas. Wherever they are, they remain in the state of Sivam. Thirumoolar impresses highly upon this. Whereas we consider rain, sunshine, wind, growth and decay as nature, Gnanis consider them as acts of Siva. They are in awe, adoration & complete devotion to each and every act of Siva.
In a state of God Consciousness, the Gnanis see God everywhere.
When you ask someone coming out of a temple about what they did, they will say that they prayed to God. The next logical question that is asked is, is God only in temple and not anywhere else? Does it actually mean that God is only in temple and not anywhere else? If He is everywhere then why does He stay in the temple? What then is the point of us going to the temple in the search of God? The subtle but simple difference is the state of consciousness that one is.
Choosing one’s Life
An old man narrates a story about his son and daughter in law. The old man’s wife had passed away and he lived alone in a city. His son and daughter-in-law lived in another city far away due to their work. They both pestered him to come over and stay with them since the old man was living alone. The old man was hesitant that he would no more be able to go to temples if he moved in with his son and his wife. But he made up his mind to go live with them since he was living alone. The first week was very pleasant with his son and daughter-in-law taking good care of him. So, the old man was happy and thought to himself that he will pass the end of his days with them. After some time, the problems started and there was a lot of tension in the house. When the old man highlighted this to his son, the son astonished the old man with his reply. He said that his father should adjust to the situation. After a month, the old man felt like he was lying on a bed of thorns. His daughter-in-law gave him lots of household chores and he felt like a slave. But he felt that he was doing this for this son and hence endured. Every day he went to a nearby ground and started chanting the mantras of his favourite temple deity in his home town. Soon enough he received a letter and a call asking him to come to attend a wedding in his hometown. His son was hesitant but finally agreed and bought round-trip tickets for his father. He insisted that his father come back soon after the wedding. The old man attended the wedding but do you think he went back to live with his son and his wife?
Greatness of Saints
We think that we can decide where to live and settle down. Saint Sundaramoorthy Nayanar thought that he would settle down in Thillai but we all know what followed. Saint Sundaramoorthy Nayanar did not enter Sirkazhi town simply because Saint Tirugnanasambandar was born there. It was out of utter devotion and respect that he did not want to desecrate the place with his presence. Saint Sundaramoorthy Nayanar was the one who lived alongside Siva Perumanin mount Kailash and His greatness is immeasurable. But his level of consciousness was such that He saw Saint Tirugnanasambarperuman as an embodiment of Siva himself and hence did not even enter the town.
The Past and the Present
A child will happily run, climb over and kick his/her parents but when grown up, will the same child do the same? That is level of maturity the child obtains on growing up. Similarly, Siva Siddhars are at such level of consciousness that they see Siva everywhere and not just in temples.
This world has been given to all living beings to live. But humans think other lives are not worth and hence kill without remorse. If we are expecting God to be compassionate with us, it is only logical that we show the same compassion to other living beings? Generally, we assume that we know the past and the present and can’t see into the future. Gnanis see everything as acts of Siva and hence see beyond the present. We think we know everything about the past and the present. We can’t even know why someone stopped speaking to us so how can we claim to know the past? We don’t know everything that is happening around us at present, so how can we claim to know the present? The only thing we know is that we think we know everything. But the reality is, we know neither the past nor the present and will not know the future. We will fool others, be fooled and fool ourselves with our ignorance.
The Gnanis transcend time and will not know even the difference between night and day. The Gnanis who have transcended time and mortals who haven’t find it impossible to communicate with each other. They peer into time and can see what karma each Atma will have to live through but will not say it. Man can never overcome nature and Thiru Gnana Sambandar Peruman even says that Sivam will not manifest in those who go against nature.
It’s only in harmony with nature will Sivam manifest in oneself.
There are so many temples whose agricultural lands have been usurped or unscrupulously taken over. It was customary in the days of our forefathers to offer the first harvest to the local temple. This ensured the well-being of the land and its people and water flowed in rivers. When these things stopped, nature’s bounty dwindled naturally as well and rivers run dry now. There are so many temples in which resources for performing a single puja is extremely hard to come by. This is the case for even the temples in which the nayanmars have sung songs about. Note that there are 6 pujas that need to be done at regular intervals every day.
The feeling of our tradition and culture should manifest in our hearts as temples are the cornerstone of our entire existence. When we disrespect the temples and the deities, we should be aware of the effects of it. Gnanis can see clearly how the one’s karma will come to roost and they also provide solutions to lesser or remove it. They have the authority to do so. But it has been converted into business by swindlers and ridiculed by others who have no understanding of the karmic principles.
The Panchakshara
Markendeya transcended death at 16 years of age by placing himself at the Feet of Siva. People ask how come Markendeya bowed at the Holy Feet when Siva Lingam supposedly does not seem to have one. Thiru Gnana Sambandar Peruman sings a wonderful verse in which he explains the five letter Panchakshara itself is the Holy Feet of Siva. Lord Siva kicked Yama with His feet while Markendaya was chanting “Om Nama Sivaya”. This is the meaning of the Holy Feet and there is no other greater companion than the five syllable Panchakshara in one’s life.
For them, He mentions that even though you don’t want to attain the Grace of Siva, chant at least the five syllabled “Panchakshara” mantra.
St. Thiru Gnana Sambandar sings in His last song that even though one might not know the entire vedas, all one needs to chant is “Nama Sivaya”. He invites the visitors and other bystanders at His wedding to attain the Holy Feet of Siva with Him. Even though many attained the grace of Siva due to Him, other still hesitated due to fear.
The True Bhakthi
Only when one leaves all bonds including oneself, does one attain the Holy feet of Siva. Only by losing oneself in Siva does one obtain the Grace of Siva. It’s much easier to let of things that we think as ours but it’s very difficult to let go of ourselves (the “I”). Bliss is only when one leaves everything and not when one has everything. We want to go to different places to enjoy ourselves and visit temples in the same vein meaning we want everything. There are then others who come to temples and jostle with others in the queue or think of all other worldly affairs while praying. They completely forget the purpose of coming to temples.
True bhakthi is when one forgets everything while entering temples.
A hunter must focus only on the target and not on things other than the target. St. Manickavasagar sings that only when He lost everything, He realised that none was of His own making. He realised that all was Siva’s making and that all acts are of and for Siva and never for oneself. That is why Gnanis never do anything for themselves. But this does not mean that they sit and do nothing rather they ask Siva for things that benefit the larger mankind and other living beings. Whereas we ask Siva to satisfy only our own self-interests and desires.
The entire idea is that one gives the best possible effort for each and every activity without expectations. If one’s actions does not bring in change, then one simply becomes a witness to the world.