OmniLight Invocations 365

A reconstruction of Ramalingam’s appearance based on descriptions by those who knew him. The Tamil words below the image express his sincere wish: May All Beings Attain Bliss and Flourish!

Recitation of the Vedas (Hindu scriptures)

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 64

ஓதியோ தாம லுறவெனக் களித்த

ஆதியீ றில்லா வருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி

Without

Rite

Of

Initiation,

Recitation

Of

Scriptures,

Priestly

Perfunctory

Performance,

Yet,

Enduring

Relation,

Bond

Of

Boundless

Love,

Bestowed,

Ensured,

By

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion

Without Beginning!

Without End!

Note: This autobiographical couplet is Ramalingam’s receipt of an enduring relationship of boundless love bestowed by the OmniLight without beginning and end, and despite his lack of formal initiation, recitation of scriptures, and priestly performances.

In his own words, this was the result of intense, one-pointed aspiration for the OmniLight, sustained inner austerity of renunciation of distracting worldly desires, and the development of compassion for living beings.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872. 

In later posts, I will offer commentaries on these verses.

OmniLight Invocations 365

A reconstruction of Ramalingam’s appearance based on descriptions by those who knew him. The Tamil words below the image express his sincere wish: May All Beings Attain Bliss and Flourish!

Recitation of the Vedas (Hindu scriptures)

Recitation of Jewish Scriptures

Bible reading for African students

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 12

ஓதா துணர்ந்திட வொளியளித் தெனக்கே

ஆதார மாகிய வருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி

Bereft

Of

Scholastic

Learning

By

Rote,

Paucity

Of

Parroting,

Recitation,

Of

Scriptures,

Yet,

Benediction

Of

Luminous

Sensibility,

Light

Of

Enlightenment,

Bestowed,

Kindled,

Supported,

Consummately

By the Supreme Compassion of OmniLight!

Note: This autobiographical couplet testifies to Ramalingam’s attainment of illumined sensibility and enlightenment, without benefit of scholastic rote learning and parrot-like repetition of scriptures, by the supreme compassion of OmniLight.

In his own words, this was the result of intense, one-pointed aspiration for the OmniLight, sustained inner austerity of renunciation of distracting worldly desires, and the development of compassion for living beings.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872. 

In later posts, I will offer commentaries on these verses.

OmniLight Invocations 365

A reconstruction of Ramalingam’s appearance based on descriptions by those who knew him. The Tamil words below the image express his sincere wish: May All Beings Attain Bliss and Flourish!

Christian mythology: Divinity and Doubt: Portrait of the resurrected Jesus and the doubting Thomas by Caravaggio (Source: Wikipedia)

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 10

ஐயமுந் திரிபு மறுத்தென துடம்பினுள்

ஐயமு நீக்கிய வருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி

Doubt,

Distortion,

Deformation,

Deviancy,

Perversity,

Paralyzing

Phlegmata

Of

Understanding,

Undone!

Clogging

Mucus

Plugs

Of

Mind,

Body,

Purified,

Cleared,

Consummately

By the Supreme Compassion of OmniLight!

Note: This autobiographical couplet testifies to Ramalingam’s overcoming of the inveterate tendencies of suspicion or irrational doubt, distortion, perversity or willful adoption of falsehood, etc., of the impure human understanding or intellect. According to this couplet, not only was his understanding purified of these phlegmata, but also the deleterious phlegm clogging the vital functions of his body was cleared consummately by the supreme compassion of OmniLight.

In his own words, this was the result of intense, one-pointed aspiration for the OmniLight, sustained inner austerity of renunciation of distracting worldly desires, and the development of compassion for living beings.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872. 

In later posts, I will offer commentaries on these verses.

OmniLight Invocations 365

A reconstruction of Ramalingam’s appearance based on descriptions by those who knew him. It is missing his footwear. Ramalingam emphasized the use of footwear as a requirement of the care of the body.

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 7

ஊக்கமு முணர்ச்சியு மொளிதரு மாக்கையும்

ஆக்கமு மருளிய வருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி

Candescent

Zest,

Zeal,

Corporeal,

Ethereal,

Incandescent

Body,

Benediction

Bestowed

By the Supreme Compassion of OmniLight!

Note: This autobiographical couplet testifies to Ramalingam’s overcoming of the tendencies of Tamas, e.g., ignorance, inertia, lethargy, apathy, ennui, etc., of the body, mind, heart, and spirit, and the attainment of a luminous body, by the supreme compassion of OmniLight.

In his own words, this was the result of intense, one-pointed aspiration for the OmniLight, sustained inner austerity of renunciation of distracting worldly desires, and the development of compassion for living beings.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872. 

In later posts, I will offer commentaries on these verses.

OmniLight Invocations 365

A reconstruction of Ramalingam’s appearance based on descriptions by those who knew him. The Tamil words below the image express his sincere wish: May All Beings Attain Bliss and Flourish!

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 166

விருப்போ டிகல்உறு வெறுப்பும் தவிர்த்தே

அருட்பே றளித்த அருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி

Interrelated

Polar

Opposites,

Attraction,

Aversion,

Desire,

Dislike,

Causing

Conflicts,

Ceased

Consummately,

Thwarted,

Terminated,

By

Light

Transcendent,

Bestowed

By the Supreme Compassion of OmniLight!

Note: This autobiographical couplet testifies to Ramalingam’s transcendence of the interrelated pairs of opposites, e.g., love and hate, desire and dislike, and so forth, and the conflicts they generate in the mind and heart, by the supreme compassion of OmniLight.

In his own words, this was the result of intense, one-pointed aspiration for the OmniLight, sustained inner austerity of renunciation of distracting worldly desires, and the development of compassion for living beings.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872. 

In later posts, I will offer commentaries on these verses.

OmniLight Invocations 365

A reconstruction of Ramalingam’s appearance based on descriptions by those who knew him. The Tamil words below the image express his sincere wish: May All Beings Attain Bliss and Flourish!

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 165

சுருள்விரி வுடைமனச் சுழல்எலாம் அறுத்தே

அருள்ஒளி நிரப்பிய அருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி     

The

Whirlpool

Of

Mind,

Spreading,

Swirling

Thoughts,

Feelings,

Sensations,

Suppressed,

Stilled

Into

Serenity,

Suffused   

With

Light

Sublime,

Consummately

By the Supreme Compassion of OmniLight!        

Note: This autobiographical couplet testifies to Ramalingam’s great achievement of stilling the mind’s incessant whirlpool of thoughts, feelings, and sensations, and attainment of the resulting serenity, by the supreme compassion of OmniLight.

In his own words, this was the result of intense, one-pointed aspiration for the OmniLight, sustained inner austerity of renunciation of distracting worldly desires, and the development of compassion for living beings.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872. 

In later posts, I will offer commentaries on these verses.

OmniLight Invocations 365

Light On The Philosopher: Rembrandt’s “The Philosopher in Meditation”

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 164

வெருள்மன மாயை வினைஇருள் நீக்கிஉள்

அருள்விளக் கேற்றிய அருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி         

Fearsome

Inner

Darkness

Of

Ignorance,

Mind’s

Formations

Of

Fears,

Illusions,

Delusions,

Self-deceptions,

Forming

Karma,

Forging

Fetters

Of

Fate.

But

Overcome,

Dispelled,

Destroyed,

Definitely,

By

Inner

Lamp

Of

Light

Divine,

Substituting,

Kindled,

Subsisting,

Consummately

By the Supreme Compassion of OmniLight!

Note: This autobiographical couplet testifies to Ramalingam’s conquest of the mind’s illusive and delusive formations, and the resulting fetters of Karma or Fate, by the supreme compassion of OmniLight.

In his own words, this was the result of intense, one-pointed aspiration for the OmniLight, sustained inner austerity of renunciation of distracting worldly desires, and the development of compassion for living beings.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872. 

In later posts, I will offer commentaries on these verses.

OmniLight Invocations 365

A reconstruction of Ramalingam’s appearance based on descriptions by those who knew him. It is missing his footwear. Ramalingam emphasized the use of footwear as a requirement of the care of the body.

Chariot wheel of the 13th century Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha, India

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 163

உருள்சக டாகிய உளஞ்சலி யாவகை

அருள்வழி நிறுத்திய அருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி   

Wearisome  

Cart-wheeling

Mind,

Heart,

Cart-wheels

Of

Thought,

Emotion,

Whimsical

Wanderers

Of

Worlds,

Wonderfully

Stopped,

Set

On

The

True

Track

Of

Transcendence,

Securely,

Consummately,

By the Supreme Compassion Of OmniLight!

Note: The Tamil word “உள்ளம்” (uḷḷam), in the first line of this couplet, encompasses mind (the source of thought) and heart (the source of emotion).

This autobiographical couplet testifies to Ramalingam’s conquest of the incessant, cart-wheeling acrobatics and antics of mind and heart, thought and emotion, and the decisive transformation of their habitual tendencies by the supreme compassion of OmniLight.

In his own words, this was the result of intense, one-pointed aspiration for the OmniLight, sustained inner austerity of renunciation of distracting worldly desires, and the development of compassion for living beings.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872. 

In later posts, I will offer commentaries on these verses.

OmniLight Invocations 365

A reconstruction of Ramalingam’s appearance based on descriptions by those who knew him. The Tamil words below the image express his sincere wish: May All Beings Attain Bliss and Flourish!

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 157

தாபத் துயரந் தவிர்த்துல குறுமெலா

ஆபத்தும் நீக்கிய வருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி

Craving’s

Calamities,

Taṇhā’s

Tribulations,

Mundane

Misfortunes,

Dread

Dangers

Of

Worlds,

Awful

Adversities,

Averted

Absolutely,

Ceased

Consummately,

By the Supreme Compassion of OmniLight!

Note: This autobiographical couplet testifies to the supreme liberation and protection bestowed by the OmniLight on Ramalingam.

In his own words, this was the result of intense, one-pointed aspiration for the OmniLight, sustained inner austerity of renunciation of distracting worldly desires, and the development of compassion for living beings.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872. 

In later posts, I will offer commentaries on these verses.

OmniLight Invocations 365

A reconstruction of Ramalingam’s appearance based on descriptions by those who knew him. The Tamil words below the image express his sincere wish: May All Beings Attain Bliss and Flourish!

Vivekananda in New York in 1895.

“Tossed to and fro, from wave to wave

in this seething, surging sea

Of passions strong and sorrows deep,

grief is, and joy to be,

Where life is living death, alas! and death—

who knows but ’tis

Another start, another round of this old wheel

of grief and bliss?“

Vivekananda: “MY PLAY IS DONE” (Written in the Spring of 1895 in New York)

"Many a House of Life
     Held me—Seeking Ever Him Wrought
     These Prisons of the Senses, Sorrow-Fraught;
          Sore was My Ceaseless Strife!

          But Now,
     Thou Builder of this Tabernacle—Thou!
     I Know Thee!  Never Shalt Thou Build Again
          These Walls of Pain,

     Nor Raise the Roof-Tree of Deceits, Nor Lay
          Fresh Rafters on the Clay:
     Broken Thy House is, and the Ridge-Pole Split!
          Delusion Fashioned it!
     Safe Pass I Thence—Deliverance to Obtain."
(Buddha's Exultation On Attaining Emancipation From Saṃsāra  in The Light Of Asia by Edwin Arnold)

“The Black Sea at night” by Ivan Aivazovsky  (1817–1900) – Source: Wikipedia

Tibetan thangka showing the Wheel of Life (bhavacakra) – “Wheel of Samsara” – Yama (God of Death) holding the wheel of life: “The images in the hub of the wheel represent the three poisons of ignorance, attachment and aversion. The second layer represents karma. The third layer represents the six realms of cyclic existence. The fourth layer represents the twelve links of dependent origination. The fierce figure holding the wheel represents impermanence. The moon above the wheel represents liberation from cyclic existence.
The Buddha pointing to the moon indicates that liberation is possible.” (Source: Wikipedia)

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 8

எல்லையில் பிறப்பெனு மிருங்கடல் கடத்தியென்

அல்லலை நீக்கிய வருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி

Saṃsāra,

Site

Of

Suffering,

Dark,

Dread

Ocean

Of

Endless

Waves

Of

Birth,

Death,

Rebirth,

Crossed

Decisively,

Dukkha

Destroyed,

Despair

Ceased,

Consummately,

By the Supreme Compassion of OmniLight!

Note: This autobiographical couplet testifies to Ramalingam’s attainment of liberation, by the supreme compassion of OmniLight, from the “wheel of life”, the cycle of birth, rebirth, and death.

In his own words, this was the result of intense, one-pointed aspiration for the OmniLight, sustained inner austerity of renunciation of distracting worldly desires, and the development of compassion for living beings.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872. 

In later posts, I will offer commentaries on these verses.