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.