This blog is devoted to the exposition and analysis of the post-religious and pure theistic path of wisdom and harmony (சமரச சுத்த சன்மார்க்கம்) envisioned by the Indian-Tamilian mystic, poet, and philosopher Chidambaram Ramalingam (1823 – 1874). Note: Jivakarunya Ozhukkam or "The Ethic Of Compassion For Sentient Beings", Arutperunjothi Agaval or "OmniLight Invocations", and the tetralogy of "Suddha Sanmarga Vinappams" or "The Petitions Of Suddha Sanmargam", constitute the authentic central writings of the later Ramalingam. In this blog, I will adhere to the principle that only the views expressed in these writings are representative of Ramalingam's Samarasa Suddha Sanmargam teachings. (C) All Rights Reserved By Blog Author: Thill Raghu, Ph.D. E-mail: traghu1874@gmail.com
An old photo of Sathiya Dharuma Saalai (The Home of True Charity) in Vadalur, Tamilnadu, South India – It was opened by Ramalingam on May 23, 1867, and has fed the poor and hungry to this day.
Arutperunjothi Couplet: 783
சிறுநெறி செல்லாத் திறனளித் தழியா
துறுநெறி யுணர்ச்சிதந் தொளியுறப் புரிந்து!
Bestowing
The
Acuity
And
Ability
To
Avoid
Lower
Paths
And
Practices,
And
Illuminating
My
Understanding
Of
The
True
Path
To
Immortality,
OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!
Notes:
This couplet continues the series of couplets which describe Ramalingam’s extraordinary realization of the OmniLight. It is unique in the annals of religious or mystical experience.
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.
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: 782
உலகியல் சிறிது முளம்பிடி யாவகை
அலகில்பே ரருளா லறிவது விளக்கிச்!
Extirpating
All
Worldliness
From
My
Soul,
And
Illuminating
By
Its
Immeasurable
Light
My
Intellect,
OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!
Notes:
This couplet continues the series of couplets which describe Ramalingam’s extraordinary realization of the OmniLight. It is unique in the annals of religious or mystical experience.
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.
Symbol of OmniLight in the சத்திய ஞான சபை (Sathiya Gnana Sabhai) or The Great Hall of Truth-Knowledge, a place of special manifestation ofOmniLight.
Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 781
என்னையும் பொருளென வெண்ணியென் னுளத்தே
அன்னையு மப்பனு மாகி வீற்றிருந்து!
Considering
Even
Me
As
A
Worthy
Being,
And
Presiding
As
Father
And
Mother
In
My
Heart,
OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!
Notes:
This couplet continues the series of couplets which describe Ramalingam’s extraordinary realization of the OmniLight. It is unique in the annals of religious or mystical experience.
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.
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:780
வாழிநின் பேரருள் வாழிநின் பெருஞ்சீர்
ஆழியொன் றளித்த வருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!
Bestowing
On
Me
The
Orb
And
Scepter
Of
Divine
Command,
Eternal
Divine
Light,
Eternal
Maximal
Excellence,
OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!
Notes:
This couplet continues the series of couplets which describe Ramalingam’s extraordinary realization of the OmniLight. It is unique in the annals of religious or mystical experience.
The expression “வாழி” (Vazhi) is used as a blessing for long life and prosperity. In the context of this couplet addressed to the OmniLight, it must be clearly understood as an affirmation of the eternality of its Light Of Compassion and maximal excellence.
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.
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:779
மருளெலாந் தவிர்த்து வரமெலாங் கொடுத்தே
அருளமு தருத்திய வருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!
Dispelling
All
Delusion
And
Confusion,
Bestowing
All
Boons
I
Beseeched,
And
Sustaining
Me
With
The
Ambrosia
Of
Arul,
The
Divine
Light,
OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!
Notes:
This couplet continues the series of couplets which describe Ramalingam’s extraordinary realization of the OmniLight. It is unique in the annals of religious or mystical experience.
The expression “அருளமுது” (Arul Amudhu) refers to the ambrosial Divine Light Of Compassion or Grace, the supreme and ultimate energy or force underlying all phenomena.
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.
An old photo of Sathiya Dharuma Saalai (The Home of True Charity) in Vadalur, Tamilnadu, South India – It was opened by Ramalingam on May 23, 1867, and has fed the poor and hungry to this day.
Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 778
சபையென துளமெனத் தானமர்ந் தெனக்கே
அபய மளித்ததோ ரருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!
Adopting
My
Heart
As
Its
Sabhai
Or
Sacred
Hall,
And
Granting
Me
Security
And
Succor,
OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!
Notes:
This couplet continues the series of couplets which describe Ramalingam’s extraordinary realization of the OmniLight. It is unique in the annals of religious or mystical experience.
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.
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:742
தன்னுளே பொங்கிய தண்ணமு துணவே
என்னுளே பொங்கிய என்றனி யன்பே!
Love
Supreme,
Overflowing
Within
Me,
And
Nourishing
Me
With
Its
Inexhaustible,
Overflowing,
Cooling
Ambrosia,
OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!
Notes:
This couplet continues the series of couplets which describe Ramalingam’s extraordinary realization of the OmniLight. It is unique in the annals of religious or mystical experience.
After the previous couplets on the physical transformations accompanying Ramalingam’s extraordinary experience and realization, this couplet continues to describe other transformations in his being.
It affirms that all of these transformative experiences pertain to Love Supreme, 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.
Symbol of OmniLight in the சத்திய ஞான சபை (Sathiya Gnana Sabhai) or The Great Hall of Truth-Knowledge, a place of special manifestation ofOmniLight.
Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 741
தன்வச மாகித் ததும்பிமேற் பொங்கி
என்வசங் கடந்த என்னுடை யன்பே!
Love
Treasure,
Autonomously
Pervading,
Overflowing,
And
Expanding
Beyond
My
Being,
OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!
Notes:
This couplet continues the series of couplets which describe Ramalingam’s extraordinary realization of the OmniLight. It is unique in the annals of religious or mystical experience.
After the previous couplets on the physical transformations accompanying Ramalingam’s extraordinary experience and realization, this couplet continues to describe other transformations in his being.
It affirms that all of these transformative experiences pertain to the Treasure of Love, 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.
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: 740
பொன்னுடம் பெனக்குப் பொருந்திடும் பொருட்டா
என்னுளங் கலந்த என்றனி யன்பே!
Love
Supreme,
Uniting
With
My
Being
To
Bestow
A
Brilliant
Golden
Body,
OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!
Notes:
This couplet continues the series of couplets which describe Ramalingam’s extraordinary realization of the OmniLight. It is unique in the annals of religious or mystical experience.
After the previous couplets on the physical transformations accompanying Ramalingam’s extraordinary experience and realization, this couplet continues to describe other transformations in his being.
It affirms that all his transformative experiences pertain to Love Supreme, the OmniLight. Ramalingam used this expression “Love Supreme” (Tamil: தனி அன்பே – thani anbey) almost a hundred years before John Coltrane‘s use of it in the title of his album “A Love Supreme” released in 1965.
This couplet also affirms that the OmniLight united with Ramalingam’s being to bestow what it describes as “பொன் உடம்பு” (pon udambu), or Golden Body, or body of brilliant golden light.
Part II of his incomplete essay on the ethic of compassion for living beings describes this higher body as follows:
Translation: “The pranava body of pure elements which appears in golden form and is otherwise intangible like the sky or space…”
I think that the key term “பிரணவ” (pranava) in this reference to the pranava body is best interpreted in terms of “பிராணன்” (Pranan – Sanskrit: प्राण or prāṇa ) or subtle energies, or “airs” of vitality, or life-force. It is a reference to the transfigured subtle vital body constituted by pure elements and life-energies not subject to deficiency, deformation, and decay. Contrary to my former misconception, I don’t think that it has anything to do with பிரணவம் (praṇavam) or the ōm sound.
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.
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: 740
துன்புள வனைத்துந் தொலைத்தென துருவை
யின்புறு வாக்கிய என்னுடை யன்பே!
Treasure
Of
Love,
Expelling
All
Sources
Of
Suffering,
And
Rendering
My
Form
Replete
With
Rapture,
OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!
Notes:
This couplet continues the series of couplets which describe Ramalingam’s extraordinary realization of the OmniLight. It is unique in the annals of religious or mystical experience.
After the previous couplets on the physical transformations accompanying Ramalingam’s extraordinary experience and realization, this couplet continues to describe other transformations in his being.
It affirms that all of these transformative experiences pertain to the Treasure of Love, 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.