OmniLight Invocations 365

“Vituvian Man” By Leonardo Da Vinci: “Leonardo envisaged the great picture chart of the human body he had produced through his anatomical drawings and Vitruvian Man as a cosmografia del minor mondo (cosmography of the microcosm). He believed the workings of the human body to be an analogy for the workings of the universe.” (Encyclopædia Britannica online)

Yoga: The five vital airs or prāṇas and their functions in the body

Yoga: The five vital airs or prāṇas and their functions in the body

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 393

பிண்டத் துரிசையும் பேருயிர்த் துரிசையும்

அண்டற வடக்கு மருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி

Defect,

Distortion,

Disorder,

Dirt,

Of

Stuff,

Substance,

Structure,

State,

Site,

Of

Zygote,

Embryo,

Fetus,

Body,

Of

Inflowing,

Outflowing,

Vital air,

Life-energy,

Curbed,

Controlled,

Cleansed,

Consummately

By the Supreme Compassion of OmniLight!

Note: The Tamil word உயிர் (Uyir) in the first line of this couplet also refers to life-energy, vital air or prāṇa.

This couplet is the second in the series of couplets dealing with the supreme regulating, controlling, curbing powers (அடக்குதல் – adakkudhal) exercised on the cosmos, universe, world, and body by OmniLight. These couplets imply that order in the universe, and in any world, is the result of the supremely compassionate controlling, curbing, and regulating action of OmniLight. Law-governed dissolution or destruction of physical, or material, forms or structures is an aspect of this constructive action.

The need for this controlling, curbing, and regulating action by OmniLight arises because of the nature of the stuff of the habitat of souls developing from a state of ignorance toward knowledge. This is the அசுத்த மாயை (Asuddha Mayai) or the original dark stuff of our universe and its tendency to produce random variations, distortions, and deficiencies (“மாயையின் விகற்ப ஜாலங்கள்“, as Ramalingam puts it in his essay “JeevaKarunya Ozhukkam” on compassion for living beings). It is also the basis of the phenomena of suffering of living beings.

It may be that the condition of ignorance in the consciousness of individual souls has tainted and warped the matter or stuff of the universe in which they have taken birth to progressively achieve freedom from that original ignorance. I will pursue this topic in other posts.

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

Storms have a cleansing effect on anthropogenic pollutants and chemicals. (Source: Wikipedia)

Monsoon clouds and showers in Aralvaimozhy, near Nagercoil, South India (Source: Wikipedia) Scientists at MIT have studied the cleansing effect of rain. Rain droplets attract aerosols by the process of coagulation and cleanse the air of pollutants.

“Extremely powerful cosmic rays are raining down on us. No one knows where they come from.” (Source: Vox.com) Their regulative, cleansing function is an excellent topic of research.

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 392

அண்டத் துரிசையு மகிலத் துரிசையும்

அண்டற வடக்கு மருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி

Defect,

Distortion,

Disorder,

Dirt,

Of

Stuff,

Substance,

Structure,

State,

Site,

Of a world,

Of a cosmos,

Curbed,

Controlled,

Cleansed,

Consummately

By the Supreme Compassion of OmniLight!

Note: This couplet marks the start of the set of couplets dealing with the supreme regulating, controlling, curbing powers (அடக்குதல் – adakkudhal) exercised on the cosmos, universe, world, and body by OmniLight. These couplets imply that order in the universe, and in any world, is the result of the supremely compassionate controlling, curbing, and regulating action of OmniLight. Law-governed dissolution or destruction of physical, or material, forms or structures is an aspect of this constructive action.

The need for this controlling, curbing, and regulating action by OmniLight arises because of the nature of the stuff of the habitat of souls developing from a state of ignorance toward knowledge. This is the அசுத்த மாயை (Asuddha Mayai) or the original dark stuff of our universe and its tendency to produce random variations, distortions, and deficiencies (“மாயையின் விகற்ப ஜாலங்கள்“, as Ramalingam puts it in his essay “JeevaKarunya Ozhukkam” on compassion for living beings). It is also the basis of the phenomena of suffering of living beings.

It may be that the condition of ignorance in the consciousness of individual souls has tainted and warped the matter or stuff of the universe in which they have taken birth to progressively achieve freedom from that original ignorance. I will pursue this topic in other posts.

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 variety of marine worms“: plate from Das Meer by M. J. Schleiden (1804–1881) – Source: Wikipedia

Hesiocaeca methanicola lives in great ocean depths on methane ice – Source: Wikipedia

Sabellidae worm – Source: Wikipedia

Water plumes on Europa, a moon of Jupiter, detected by the Galileo space probe – Source: Wikipedia

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 391

எவையெலா மெவையெலா மீண்டின வீண்டின

அவையெலாங் காத்தரு ளருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி

Further,

Farther,

Forms of life,

Fathomable,

Unfathomable,

Familiar,

Unfamiliar,

Unmentioned,

Classified,

Unclassified,

Scarce,

Surfeit,

Surviving

Sustained

By the Supreme Compassion of OmniLight!

Note: Ramalingam’s manuscript of Arutperunjothi Agaval has the words “மீண்டின வீண்டின” at the end of the first line of this couplet. They refer to forms or types of life in addition to those mentioned in the previous couplets.

This couplet is the final one in the set containing Ramalingam’s petitions or prayers, on behalf of all forms of life, or living beings, to the OmniLight of Supreme Compassion for their protection. A prescient vision of the rabid cycle of destruction of life in the Anthropocene epoch probably inspired these petitions or prayers to the OmniLight.

In these couplets, it is evident that Ramalingam has gone way beyond ordinary human compassion as we understand it and attained the all-embracing 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.

OmniLight Invocations 365

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 390

வாய்ந்திடுஞ் சுத்த வகையுயிர்க் கொருமையின்

ஆய்ந்துறக் காத்தரு ளருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி

Perceptively protect,

Uphold the uniqueness,

Sustain the singularity,

Of

Species of herbivores,

Subsisting on

Sustenance of purity,

OmniLight of Supreme Compassion!

Note: In the first line of this couplet, the expression “சுத்த வகையுயிர்” can also refer to herbivores or living beings (உயிர் – uyir) who do not kill and consume the flesh of other creatures. Their food, or means (வகை – Wagai) of subsistence, is, therefore, pure (சுத்தம் – Suttham). In his great incomplete essay on compassion for living beings (ஜீவகாருண்ய ஒழுக்கம் – Jeevakarunya Ozhukkam), Ramalingam implies that the flesh of creatures is impure food (அசுத்தம் – Asuttham). The word “ஒருமை” (Orumai) also means “unique, or singular”, and, in the context of this couplet, pertains to the uniqueness or singularity of herbivores.

In these couplets, it is evident that Ramalingam has gone way beyond ordinary human compassion as we understand it and attained the all-embracing 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.

OmniLight Invocations 365

Swamp rodents

Invasive Brown Hoplo Catfish  Photo: Allyson L. Webb

Swamp frog covered in algae

Freshwater creature: Green sea turtle

Critically endangered European eel

North American river otter – its streamlined shape enables it to glide through the water (Source: Wikipedia)

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet 389:

சுத்தமு மசுத்தமுந் தோயுயிர்க் கிருமையின்

அத்தகை காத்தரு ளருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி

Creatures

Immersed

In

Clean (water) habitats,

Or,

Inhabiting

Unclean (water) habitats.

Let them live,

In these two conditions:

Captivated by the unclean,

Or,

Conforming to the clean,

By the Supreme Compassion of OmniLight!

Note: The key expression “தோயுயிர்” (toyuyir) refers to living beings immersed in or inhabiting water. The word “தோய்தல்” is generally used to refer to bathing, soaking, or immersion in water.

In these couplets, it is evident that Ramalingam has gone way beyond ordinary human compassion as we understand it and attained the all-embracing 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.

OmniLight Invocations 365

Rice fields, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India

Newly discovered semi-aquatic earthworm in rice fields

Rice Field Frog

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 388

சொல்லுறு மசுத்தத் தொல்லுயிர்க் கவ்வகை

அல்லலிற் காத்தரு ளருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி

Living beings,

Immemorial,

Inhabiting,

Proliferating,

Producing sounds,

In paddies.

Naturally

Immured and mired

In impurities,

In dirt and darkness.

Sustain them

In their domains,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Note: The Tamil word “சொல்” (soll) at the start of this couplet refers to paddy (fields). Another relevant sense is சத்தம் (satham) or sound. “சொல்” (soll) rhymes with “தொல்” (tholl) which means “old, ancient, immemorial”.

In these couplets, it is evident that Ramalingam has gone way beyond ordinary human compassion as we understand it and attained the all-embracing 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.

OmniLight Invocations 365

Hermit Crab

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 387

ஏங்கா துயிர்த்திர ளெங்கெங் கிருந்தன

ஆங்காங் களித்தரு ளருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி

Living beings

Lacking voice,

Subsisting in silence,

Sustain them in their spaces,

OmniLight of Supreme Compassion!

Note: Extant commentaries conflate the word “ஏங்கல்” (ayngal) in this couplet and “ஏக்கம்” (aykkam). The word “ஏக்கம்” (aykkam) refers to craving or longing. If this sense is used, then the expression “ஏங்காது” would mean “without craving or longing”. It results in a strange and stretched account of this couplet. Hence, we ought to stick to Ramalingam’s actual use of the word “ஏங்கல்” and identify its correct meaning in this couplet.

The Tamil word “ஏங்கல்” (ayngal) means “shout, clamor, sound, scream or vocalize like a peacock“. Therefore, the expression “ஏங்காது” (ayngaadhu) at the start of this couplet refers to living beings without the ability of voice or vocalization. They subsist without producing noise from their mouths, in silence.

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.

OmniLight Invocations 365

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 386

எப்படி யெவ்வுயி ரெண்ணின வவ்வுயிர்க்

கப்படி யளித்தரு ளருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி

Munificently

Materialize

Means of subsistence,

Modality of existence,

Measure of sustenance,

Mulled

By any living being,

To nurture it,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Note: The key word “படி” (padi) at the start of this couplet refers to the means and measure of subsistence.

In these couplets, it is evident that Ramalingam has gone way beyond ordinary human compassion as we understand it and attained the all-embracing 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.

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 385:

எத்தகை யெவ்வுயி ரெண்ணின வவ்வுயிர்க்

கத்தகை யளித்தரு ளருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி

Bestow the beneficial,

Engender the good,

Embellish the beautiful,

Augment the adaptive,

As required by any living being,

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.

OmniLight Invocations 365

The great Soviet ballerina Maya Plisetskaya (1925 – 2015)

Alfred Brendel

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 384

கரணேந் தியத்தாற் களிப்புற வுயிர்களை

அரணேர்ந் தளித்தரு ளருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி

Organs of sense,

Capacities of cognition,

Enabling enjoyment

At play,

Providing living beings

Bulwark against befalling

Of the baneful,

By the Supreme Compassion of OmniLight!

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.