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: 658

அகரமு முகரமு மழியாச் சிகரமும்

வகரமு மாகிய வாய்மைமந் திரமே!

Mantra

Of

Eternal

Truth,

Which

Encompasses

The

Letters

அ,

உ,

The

Imperishable

சி,

And

வ,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

This cryptic couplet uses the selected letters of Tamil as symbols of spiritual truths. It affirms that the OmniLight encompasses all sacred mantras.

The term “அகரம்” (Agaram) refers to the letter “அ”. It is the first letter of the Tamil alphabet. It symbolizes the origin of things. It is also the first letter of the mantra Aum (OM), representing the primordial vibration and sound.

The term “உகரம்” (ugaram) refers to the letter “உ”. It is the fifth letter of the Tamil alphabet and symbolizes the five cosmic powers and functions of OmniLight: creation, protection, regulation, obscuration, and revelation.

The term “சிகரம்” (sigaram) refers to the letter “சி” which is at the start of the sacred mantra of Siva, சிவாயநம (sivaya namah). “சிவம்” (Sivam) means “pure intelligence”. “சிகரம்” also means “summit”. Hence, it points to the truth that the OmniLight is the summit of existence, the supreme reality, which is pure intelligence (sivam).

The term “வகரம்” (Vagaram) refers to the letter “வ”. The sacred mantra of Vaishnavites (worshippers of Vishnu) begins with வ: வாசுதேவாய நம (Vasudevaya namah).

வகரம் is also a concept in Tamil linguistics.

In the context of this couplet, the term “வகரம்” is interpreted by some commentators on the Arutperunjothi Agaval, notably Saravanananda, as a reference to the aspect of supreme compassion (அருள் or Arul) of OmniLight.

This couplet continues the series of couplets on மணி (Gemstone), மந்திரம் (Mantra), and மருந்து (Medicine). The OmniLight and its revelatory and other powers are described in terms of these three central metaphors of precious gemstone, mantra, and medicine.

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.