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: 765

வெம்மல விரவது விடிதரு ணந்தனிற்

செம்மையி லுதித்துளந் திகழ்ந்தசெஞ் சுடரே!

Resplendent

Red

Sun

Which

Arose

At

The

Ending

Of

The

Dark

Scorching

Night

Of

Malam

Or

Defilement,

And

Illuminated

My

Heart,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

This couplet begins the pentad of couplets (five couplets) which use the symbol of a சுடர் (soodar) or a brilliant flame, or orb of light, to describe the illuminating powers of the OmniLight.

It is a couplet of great poetic brilliance and beauty expressing deep spiritual insight.

The Tamil word “செஞ்சுடர்” (senchoodar) refers to the red sun rising at dawn and dispelling the darkness (of ignorance).

The word “மலம்” (malam) signifies மும்மலம் (moomalam) or the three cardinal defilements of ஆணவம் (Anavam) or the separative egoism or I vs. Thou aggrandizement which is the root defilement which holds a soul in bondage, மாயை (Maayai) or attachment to body and material stuff, and கன்மம் (kanmam) or karma, undergoing the consequences of one’s actions, good or bad. The expression “வெம்மல இரவு” (vemmala iravu) refers to the dark scorching night of subordination to these defilements.

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.