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.

Indian Gooseberry Tree

Indian Gooseberry or Amlaki (Tamil: நெல்லிக்கனி or Nelli kani)

Jackfruit

Jackfruit Tree

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 702

நீர்நசை தவிர்க்கு நெல்லியங் கனியே

வேர்விளை பலவின் மென்சுவைச் சுளையே!

The

Ripe

Nelli

Fruit,

Which

Overcomes

Thirst,

The

Soft

And

Sweet

Jackfruit,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

நெல்லிக்கனி (Nelli kani) or Amlaki is Indian gooseberry with established usages in Ayurveda or Indian herbal medicine preparations. It is the central ingredient in the Ayurvedic Rasāyana (रसायन) medicine named “Chyawanprash“. Rasāyana is a branch of Ayurveda concerned with longevity extension and vigor of the body.

This couplet continues to invoke beneficial and delicious natural substances to convey the bliss and benevolence of the OmniLight.

In invoking these natural substances, such as fruits and so forth, to describe the experience of the bliss of the OmniLight, I think that Ramalingam is also recommending them for their beneficial effects. It should also be noted that these fruits are manifestations of the supreme compassion of OmniLight. They have many useful functions in supporting life-forms.

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.