This blog is devoted to the exposition and analysis of the post-religious and pure theistic path of wisdom and harmony (சமரச சுத்த சன்மார்க்கம்) envisioned by the Indian-Tamilian mystic, poet, and philosopher Chidambaram Ramalingam (1823 – 1874). Note: Jivakarunya Ozhukkam or "The Ethic Of Compassion For Sentient Beings", Arutperunjothi Agaval or "OmniLight Invocations", and the tetralogy of "Suddha Sanmarga Vinappams" or "The Petitions Of Suddha Sanmargam", constitute the authentic central writings of the later Ramalingam. In this blog, I will adhere to the principle that only the views expressed in these writings are representative of Ramalingam's Samarasa Suddha Sanmargam teachings. (C) All Rights Reserved By Blog Author: Thill Raghu, Ph.D. E-mail: traghu1874@gmail.com
சத்திய ஞான சபை (Sathiya Gnana Sabhai) or The Great Hall of Truth-Knowledge, and place of special manifestation of OmniLight, designed by Ramalingam without any formal training in architecture. It was constructed in 1871 and opened to the public in January 1872. It is not a Hindu temple and ought not to be considered one. It has no anthropomorphic idols or images.
Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet:455
பொருளினுட் பொருளாய்ப் பொருளது பொருளா
யொருமையின் விளங்கு மொருதனிப் பொருளே!
The
One
Substance
Within
Objects,
The
One
Substance
Of
Objects,
Presenting
Itself
As
All
Objects,
In
Resplendent
Oneness,
OmniLight Incomparable Reality!
Note: The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.In later posts, I will offer commentaries on these couplets.
It is worth comparing Spinoza’s philosophy of Substance or Ultimate Reality with these Agaval couplets on the Supreme Reality of OmniLight.
Substance and Its Modes: The Gist Of Spinoza’s Philosophy of RealityPortrait of Dutch-Jewish Philosopher Baruch de Spinoza (1632–1677) (painting by an unknown artist, ca. 1665) – Source: WikipediaStatue of Spinoza in The HagueThe Statue of Spinoza in Amsterdam – With inscription “The objective of the state is freedom” (translation, quote from Tractatus Theologico-Politicus, 1677) – Source: Wikipedia“Spinoza and the Rabbis” (painting by Samuel Hirszenberg, 1907) – Source: Wikipedia; I should note here that Spinoza was expelled by Amsterdam’s Jewish community when he was only a (precocious) youth of 23 years.
THE IMMORTALIZING WAY OF OMNILIGHT (அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி பெருநெறி) 