OmniLight Invocations 365

A bat can fly tens of kilometers and locate its food in total darkness using its remarkably advanced natural sonar based on three-dimensional “compass” cells in its brain.

A Palawan swiftlet (Aerodramus palawanensis) navigating in total darkness inside the Puerto Princesa subterranean river cave – Source: Wikipedia

Bottlenose dolphins, and other marine mammals, have an innate protective mechanism which can reduce or muffle harmful loud sounds from sonar and other sources. (Photo: ISTOCK.COM/MADELEIN_WOLF)

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 382

விடய நிகழ்ச்சியான் மிகுமுயி ரனைத்தையும்

அடைவுறக் காத்தரு ளருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி

Protect living beings

Proliferating in their sojourn

In sensory experiences and events

On the ocean of occurrents of objects,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Note: In these couplets, it is evident that Ramalingam has gone way beyond ordinary human compassion as we understand it and attained the transcendent compassionate intelligence (ஒப்பற்ற பெருந் தயவுடைய பேரறிவு) he mentioned in his last talk (பேருபதேசம் – Perupadesam) in late 1873.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872. The meditative recitation of these prayers helps to develop compassion for living beings.

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