Maya envelops the Paramatma tatva and we have to learn to break its subtle veil to experience this truth. We have to establish contact with the Supreme Being in our consciousness. Realised souls are born from time to time to help mankind in this task. Such beings exemplify the teachings of the scriptures and there is no line of distinction between them and their teachings, said Sri P. M. Vijayaraghava Sastrigal in a lecture.
Jnana is like a shop filled with excellent wares and saints have been willing to give it away to people. But people should be eligible to understand the significance of their teachings.
For instance, sage Ramana spoke to the people through his silence. Even as a boy he looked inwards and learnt to identify the continued presence of the Inner Self in him. Himself a man of few words, he made people reflect on the nature of the objects of the world and perceive God's subtle presence everywhere.
Saint Arunagirinathar's experience was different. He was directly inspired by Muruga and the soul-stirring hymns in Thiruppughazh invite us to share his experience of God. The proper frame of mind to approach God is attained only with humility. This saint teaches us this truth in a simple manner.
Detachment (Vairagya) and Discrimination (Viveka) are indispensable for God realisation. But these qualities are not easy to cultivate and require tremendous effort and practice. The worldly attractions are too powerful and the senses, mind and intellect of human beings are constantly focussed on these rather than on higher truths.
Desire is the root cause of misery in this world, but it is not easy to overcome it. That all worldly possessions and relationships are fleeting and it is wise to avoid attachment to people, places and objects, is the lesson king Chitraketu learnt from his experience. When he internalised the transcendental glory of the Lord — enveloping all existence with no beginning, middle or end — he admitted that all attempts at eulogy could never adequately describe His infinite glory. This vision of the Lord purifies one of all sins.
