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: 768

முன்னுறு மலவிருள் முழுவது நீக்கியே

என்னுள வரைமே லெழுந்தசெஞ் சுடரே!

Resplendent

Red

Sun,

Which

Completely

Dispelled

The

Preceding

Pervasive

Dark

Night

Of

Malam

Or

Defilement

And

Rose

Above

My

Heart,

Mind,

And

Soul,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

This couplet continues 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.

The Tamil phrase “முன்னுறு மலவிருள்” (moonuru malaveerul) signifies the dark night of ignorance constituted by subordination to 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 “முன்னுறு” (moonuru) suggests that this pervasive dark night of defilement preceded the rising of the resplendent red sun of OmniLight in Ramalingam’s heart, mind, and soul.

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

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.