OmniLight Invocations 365

Entrance to the site of the radiant symbol (Jothi or orb of light) of OmniLight in the Sathiya Gnana Sabhai (1872), or Hall Of Truth-Knowledge, designed by Ramalingam.

The phases of the waxing moon.

Man and Woman Contemplating the Moon by Caspar David Friedrich (Source: Wikipedia)

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 757

உய்தர வமுத முதவி யென்னுளத்தே

செய்தவம் பலித்த திருவளர் மதியே!

The

Divine

Moon

Waxing

In

Beauty,

Bestowing

The

Ambrosia

Which

Enabled

Liberation

From

Suffering,

And

Fructifying

In

My

Heart

My

Thavam

Or

Spiritual

Austerity,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

This couplet is the second in the quartet of couplets (four couplets) which invoke the Moon (Tamil: மதி or mudhi) and its waxing phases as a symbol of the benevolent and alleviating powers of the OmniLight.

The word “அமுது” (Amoodhu) signifying divine ambrosia recurs in many lines in this Arutperunjothi Agaval. It is bestowed by the OmniLight and destroys despair, disease, decrepitude, and death.

The expression “உய்தர அமுதம்” (uythara amoodam) at the start of this couplet refers to the divine ambrosia, bestowed by the OmniLight, which enables salvation or liberation from suffering.

The expression “செய்தவம்” (sey thavam – (Sanskrit: तपस् or Tapas) at the start of the second line of this couplet signifies spiritual austerity, inclusive of renunciation of binding desires, attachments, and aversions.

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.

OmniLight Invocations 365

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 has no anthropomorphic idols or images.

Full Moon (Tamil: பூரண மதி) over the ocean

Ludwig Lanckow (1845 – 1908) – Landscape under a full moon (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 756

தண்ணிய வமுதே தந்தென துளத்தே

புண்ணியம் பலித்த பூரண மதியே!

The

Divine

Full

Moon,

Which

Bestowed

The

Cool

Ambrosia

Of

Arul

Or

Grace,

And

Fructified

The

Fortune

Of

Virtue

And

Good

Karma

In

My

Heart,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

This couplet begins the quartet of couplets (four couplets) which invoke the Moon and its waxing phases as a symbol of the benevolent and alleviating powers of the OmniLight.

The word “தண்” (Thun) at the start of this couplet signifies not only rejuvenating or restorative coolness, associated with the full moon’s rays, but also grace or divine compassion (அருள் – Arul).

The word “அமுது” (Amoodhu) signifying divine ambrosia recurs in many lines in this Arutperunjothi Agaval. It is bestowed by the OmniLight and destroys despair, disease, decrepitude, and death.

The word “புண்ணியம்” (pooniyum) at the start of the second line signifies not only virtue, but also good karma from previous lives.

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.

OmniLight Invocations 365

An old photo of Siddhi Valaagam (சித்தி வளாகம்) or “Abode of Adepthood”, Mettukuppam, Vadalur, Tamilnadu, India. It was Ramalingam’s final residence and venue of his last talk in October 1873.

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 755

ஆரியர் வழுத்திய வருணிலை யனாதி

காரியம் விளக்குமோர் காரண விளக்கே!

The

Eternal

Divine

Lamp

Of

First

Cause,

Which

Was

Celebrated

In

The

Hymns

Of

The

Ariyar,

And

Illuminates

All

Causes

And

Effects,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

The Tamil term “ஆரியர்” (Ariyar) at the start of this couplet refers to the Vedic rishis (Sanskrit: ऋषि: ṛṣi) or seers who extolled the eternal Supreme Being in their Sanskrit chants or hymns which constitute the Vedas. It is derived from the word “ஆரியம்” (Ariyam) which denotes Sanskrit.

The word “அனாதி” (Anadi) refers to that which has no beginning or origin, the eternal. The word “காரியம்” (kaariyum) means “effect”. And the word “காரணம்” (kaaranam) signifies cause. This couplet affirms that the OmniLight is the eternal First Cause and the originator and illuminator of the branching lines of causes and effects which have created the cosmos and its phenomena.

This couplet concludes the series which uses the metaphor of lamp to describe the illuminative or enlightening powers of the OmniLight.

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.

OmniLight Invocations 365

Symbol of OmniLight in the சத்திய ஞான சபை (Sathiya Gnana Sabhai) or The Great Hall of Truth-Knowledge, a place of special manifestation of OmniLight.

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 754

ஆகம முடிமே லருளொளி விளங்கிட

வேகம தறவே விளங்கொளி விளக்கே!

The

Resplendent

Lamp

Of

Divine

Light,

Which

Is

Exalted

Above

The

Summit

Of

The

Agamas,

And

Destroys

The

Poisons

And

Defilements

Of

Ignorance,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

The Agamas are the sacred texts of the Shaiva, Vaishnava, and Shakta religious and theological schools of Hinduism.

The Tamil word “வேகம்” (Waygam) at the start of the second line of this couplet refers to poisons, impurities, or defilements.

This couplet affirms that the OmniLight is exalted above the summit of the Agamas and destroys the poisons, impurities, and defilements of ignorance they seek to remove.

This couplet continues a new series which uses the metaphor of lamp to describe the illuminative or enlightening powers of the OmniLight.

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.

OmniLight Invocations 365

Entrance to the site of the radiant symbol (Jothi or orb of light) of OmniLight in the Sathiya Gnana Sabhai (1872), or Hall Of Truth-Knowledge, designed by Ramalingam.

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 753

தேற்றிய வேதத் திருமுடி விளங்கிட

ஏற்றிய ஞான வியலொளி விளக்கே!

The

Lamp

Of

Divine

Light

And

Wisdom,

Which

Is

Exalted

Above

The

Summit

Of

The

Enlightening

Vedas

And

Illuminates

Them,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

This couplet affirms that the OmniLight is exalted above the summit of the Vedas, i.e., the Vedanta or the teachings of the Upanishads, and illuminates our understanding of them.

This couplet continues a new series which uses the metaphor of lamp to describe the illuminative or enlightening powers of the OmniLight.

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.

OmniLight Invocations 365

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 has no anthropomorphic idols or images.

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 752

கருவெளி யனைத்துங் கதிரொளி விளங்கிட

உருவெளி நடுவே யொளிர்தரு விளக்கே!

The

Divine

Lamp,

Which

Sheds

Rays

Of

Illumination

Throughout

The

Dark

Germinal,

Generative

Space,

By

Its

Light

In

The

Space

Of

Forms,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

This is also a cryptic couplet which affirms the existence of two more kinds of spaces, the “கருவெளி” (karuveli) or dark germinal or generative space in which things originate in amorphousness and the “உருவெளி” (uruveli) or the space in which forms are constituted.

This couplet affirms that the OmniLight sheds rays of illumination in the dark germinal or generative space by its luminous presence in the space in which forms are constituted.

This suggests that there is some kind of link between the dark germinal or generative space and the space in which forms are constituted.

This couplet continues a new series which uses the metaphor of lamp to describe the illuminative or enlightening powers of the OmniLight.

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.

OmniLight Invocations 365

Symbol of OmniLight in the சத்திய ஞான சபை (Sathiya Gnana Sabhai) or The Great Hall of Truth-Knowledge, a place of special manifestation of OmniLight.

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 751

இடுவெளி யனைத்து மியலொளி விளங்கிட

நடுவெளி நடுவே நாட்டிய விளக்கே!

The

Lamp

Of

Divine

Light,

Which

Illuminates

The

Distributive

Space

By

Centering

In

The

Central

Space,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

This cryptic couplet affirms the reality of different kinds of spaces corresponding to different levels of reality. The term “இடுவெளி” (Iduveli) refers to the distributive space or the space in which things are distributed. It is derived from the word “இடுதல்” (Idudhal) which, in this context, means “to distribute”.

“நடுவெளி” (naduveli) refers to the central space which, presumably, is the core space of all spaces.

In essence, this cryptic couplet affirms that the OmniLight is at the center of the central space to facilitate the illumination of distributive space and its contents.

This couplet continues a new series which uses the metaphor of lamp to describe the illuminative or enlightening powers of the OmniLight.

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.

OmniLight Invocations 365

Entrance to the site of the radiant symbol (Jothi or orb of light) of OmniLight in the Sathiya Gnana Sabhai (1872), or Hall Of Truth-Knowledge, designed by Ramalingam.

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 750

மயலற வழியா வாழ்வுமேன் மேலும்

இயலுற வென்னுளத் தேற்றிய விளக்கே!

The

Lamp

Of

Divine

Light

Lit

In

My

Heart,

Which

Destroyed

Doubt,

Confusion,

And

Delusion,

And

Developed

My

Fitness

For

The

Immortal

Life,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

The Tamil word “மயல்” (Mayal) at the start of this couplet refers to doubt, confusion, and delusion. The term “அழியா வாழ்வு” (Azhiya Vazhvu or indestructible life) refers to the supernal life based on the body of pure elements (சுத்த தேகம் – Suddha Deham) bereft of decay, disintegration, and their attendant afflictions endemic to embodiment in impure elements.

This couplet continues a new series which uses the metaphor of lamp to describe the illuminative or enlightening powers of the OmniLight.

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.

OmniLight Invocations 365

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 has no anthropomorphic idols or images.

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 749

துன்புறு தத்துவத் துரிசெலா நீக்கிநல்

லின்புற வென்னுளத் தேற்றிய விளக்கே!

The

Lamp

Of

Divine

Light

Lit

In

My

Heart,

Which

Removed

The

Defects

Of

The

Tattuwam

Or

Elements

Productive

Of

Suffering,

And

Generated

Goodness

And

Bliss,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

The Tamil phrase “துன்புறு தத்துவத் துரிசு” refers to the defects or deficiencies of the constitutive elements and components of this embodied existence which are productive of suffering.

In this couplet, Ramalingam testifies that the OmniLight has removed all these defects or deficiencies and the resulting afflictions. This could only mean that it has facilitated his ascent to the supernal life based on the body of pure elements (சுத்த தேகம் – Suddha Deham) bereft of decay, disintegration, and their attendant afflictions endemic to embodiment in impure elements.

This couplet continues a new series which uses the metaphor of lamp to describe the illuminative or enlightening powers of the OmniLight.

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.

OmniLight Invocations 365

Symbol of OmniLight in the சத்திய ஞான சபை (Sathiya Gnana Sabhai) or The Great Hall of Truth-Knowledge, a place of special manifestation of OmniLight.

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 748

அருளொளி விளங்கிட வாணவ மெனுமோர்

இருளற வென்னுளத் தேற்றிய விளக்கே!

The

Supreme

Lamp,

Which

Was

Lit

In

My

Heart,

Spreading

The

Divine

Light

Dispelling

The

Darkness

Of

Anavam

Or

The

Separative

Egoism,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

This couplet marks a new series which uses the metaphor of lamp to describe the illuminative or enlightening powers of the OmniLight.

ஆணவம் (Anavam) is the separative egoism or I vs. Thou aggrandizement. It is the root defilement which holds a soul in bondage.

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.