OmniLight Invocations 365

Symbol of OmniLight in the சத்திய ஞான சபை (Sathiya Gnana Sabhai) or The Great Hall of Truth-Knowledge, a place of special manifestation of OmniLight.

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 39

உபயபக் கங்களு மொன்றெனக் காட்டிய

அபயசிற் சபையி லருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!

In

The

Mystic

Consciousness-Space

Of

Refuge,

Which

Reveals

The

Unity

Of

The

Two

Aspects,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

Starting with couplet 14, these couplets refer to the higher spaces (Tamil: வெளி or Veli) and levels of consciousness in which the OmniLight manifests itself.

Another connotation of the Tamil expression “வெளி” (Veli), and its cognates “அம்பலம்” (Ambalam) and “சபை” (Sabhai), is the public hall, or assembly, or intersubjectively accessible space. Hence, the “public halls” or higher spaces of manifestation of OmniLight described in these couplets are accessible by qualified persons or beings in advanced states of conscious experience.

In this couplet, the Tamil term “உபயம்” (upayam) means “Two”. The expression “பக்கம்” (pakkam) signifies “aspects” or “qualities”. The two aspects are Being and Becoming, or Immutable Substance and Dynamic Energy.

This couplet affirms that there is a mystic consciousness-space of refuge or security (Tamil: அபயம் or apayam) which reveals the unity of these two aspects of the OmniLight.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.

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: 38

நவந்தவிர் நிலைகளு நண்ணுமோர் நிலையாய்

அவந்தவிர் சிற்சபை யருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!

In

The

Singular,

Immutable,

Mystic

Consciousness-Space

Which

Holds

In

Attachment

All

States

Of

Detachment,

And

Averts

All

Adversity,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

Starting with couplet 14, these couplets refer to the higher spaces (Tamil: வெளி or Veli) and levels of consciousness in which the OmniLight manifests itself.

Another connotation of the Tamil expression “வெளி” (Veli), and its cognates “அம்பலம்” (Ambalam) and “சபை” (Sabhai), is the public hall, or assembly, or intersubjectively accessible space. Hence, the “public halls” or higher spaces of manifestation of OmniLight described in these couplets are accessible by qualified persons or beings in advanced states of conscious experience.

This couplet starts with the complex Tamil expression “நவந்தவிர்” (navanthavir) which poses a challenge for interpretation. It has been misinterpreted by several commentators, including the distinguished Swami Saravanananda, as a reference to nine states of this or that. This misinterpretation rests on the failure to take note of the suffix “தவிர்” (meaning “eschew, prevent, extirpate”) appended to “நவம்” (whose standard meaning is “nine”, but also refers to affection or attachment).

It makes no sense to understand “நவம்” in its standard sense of “nine” because, then, the expression “நவந்தவிர்” would mean “extirpating the nine”. On this interpretation, the expression remains obscure since we do not know what nine things or factors are referred to. There are different speculations by commentators, but they are not coherent in light of the meaning of the suffix “தவிர்” (meaning “eschew, prevent, extirpate”).

Further, construing “நவந்தவிர்” in terms of “extirpating the nine”, whatever the nine things or factors are, is at odds with the meaning of the rest of the first line “நிலைகளு நண்ணுமோர் நிலையாய்“, i.e., “states or conditions which are attached, united, or integrated with the one, unchanging condition”. The entire first line of this couplet would then mean “conditions which extirpate the nine are united with or integrated with the one, unchanging condition” and becomes very obscure.

The expression “”நவந்தவிர்”, therefore, is best interpreted in terms of extirpation or removal of attachment (attachment is another sense of “நவம்“) , or in other words, detachment or dispassion .

The expression “அவந்தவிர்” at the start of the second line means “averting or extirpating adversity”. The Tamil word “அவம்” (avam) refers to harm or adversity.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.

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: 37

சுட்டுதற் கரிதாஞ் சுகாதீத வெளியெனும்

அட்டமேற் சிற்சபை யருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!

In

The

Inscrutable

Consciousness-Space

Transcending

Even

Bliss,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

Starting with couplet 14, these couplets refer to the higher spaces (Tamil: வெளி or Veli) and levels of consciousness in which the OmniLight manifests itself.

Another connotation of the Tamil expression “வெளி” (Veli), and its cognates “அம்பலம்” (Ambalam) and “சபை” (Sabhai), is the public hall, or assembly, or intersubjectively accessible space. Hence, the “public halls” or higher spaces of manifestation of OmniLight described in these couplets are accessible by qualified persons or beings in advanced states of conscious experience.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.

OmniLight Invocations 365

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: 36

சாக்கிரா தீதத் தனிவெளி யாய் நிறை

வாக்கிய சிற்சபை யருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!

In

The

Supreme

Mystic

Consciousness-Space

Which

Transcends

In

Its

Completeness

The

Ordinary

Waking

State,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

Starting with couplet 14, these couplets refer to the higher spaces (Tamil: வெளி or Veli) and levels of consciousness in which the OmniLight manifests itself.

Another connotation of the Tamil expression “வெளி” (Veli), and its cognates “அம்பலம்” (Ambalam) and “சபை” (Sabhai), is the public hall, or assembly, or intersubjectively accessible space. Hence, the “public halls” or higher spaces of manifestation of OmniLight described in these couplets are accessible by qualified persons or beings in advanced states of conscious experience.

The Tamil term “சாக்கிரம்” (cākkiram), or the Sanskrit term “जाग्रत्” (Jāgrat), refer to the waking state of consciousness, of the individual soul or being, in which it is, for the most part, conscious of itself, the world of external objects, and its experiences in that world. This waking state is contrasted with the other two normal states of consciousness, the dream state and dreamless deep sleep.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.

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.

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 35

இயற்கையுண் மையதா யியற்கையின் பமுமாம்

அயர்ப்பிலாச் சிற்சபை யருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!

In

The

Immaculate

Mystic

Consciousness-Space

Of

Intrinsic

Reality

And

Inherent

Bliss,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

Starting with couplet 14, these couplets refer to the higher spaces (Tamil: வெளி or Veli) and levels of consciousness in which the OmniLight manifests itself.

Another connotation of the Tamil expression “வெளி” (Veli), and its cognates “அம்பலம்” (Ambalam) and “சபை” (Sabhai), is the public hall, or assembly, or intersubjectively accessible space. Hence, the “public halls” or higher spaces of manifestation of OmniLight described in these couplets are accessible by qualified persons or beings in advanced states of conscious experience.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.

OmniLight Invocations 365

Symbol of OmniLight in the சத்திய ஞான சபை (Sathiya Gnana Sabhai) or The Great Hall of Truth-Knowledge, a place of special manifestation of OmniLight.

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 34

எவ்வகைச் சுகங்களு மினிதுற வளித்தருள்

அவ்வகைச் சிற்சபை யருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!

In

The

Sublime

Mystic

Consciousness-Space

Which

Is

The

Source

Of

All

Kinds

Of

Bliss,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

Starting with couplet 14, these couplets refer to the higher spaces (Tamil: வெளி or Veli) and levels of consciousness in which the OmniLight manifests itself.

Another connotation of the Tamil expression “வெளி” (Veli), and its cognates “அம்பலம்” (Ambalam) and “சபை” (Sabhai), is the public hall, or assembly, or intersubjectively accessible space. Hence, the “public halls” or higher spaces of manifestation of OmniLight described in these couplets are accessible by qualified persons or beings in advanced states of conscious experience.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.

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: 33

துரியமுங் கடந்த சுக பூரணந்தரும்

அரியசிற் றம்பலத் தருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!

In

The

Mystic

Consciousness-Space

Of

Maximal

Excellence

And

Fullness

Of

Bliss,

Beyond

Turiya

Or

Pure

Consciousness,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

Starting with couplet 14, these couplets refer to the higher spaces (Tamil: வெளி or Veli) and levels of consciousness in which the OmniLight manifests itself.

Another connotation of the Tamil expression “வெளி” (Veli), and its cognates “அம்பலம்” (Ambalam) and “சபை” (Sabhai), is the public hall, or assembly, or intersubjectively accessible space. Hence, the “public halls” or higher spaces of manifestation of OmniLight described in these couplets are accessible by qualified persons or beings in advanced states of conscious experience.

The Tamil expression “துரியம்” (Turiyam) (Sanskrit: तुरीय – Turiya) refers to the extraordinary fourth state of pure consciousness or awareness beyond the three states of ordinary consciousness: waking, dreaming, and dreamless deep sleep. This couplet affirms that there is a supernal blissful state of consciousness beyond even the Turiya state.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.

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: 32

முச்சுடர் களுமொளி முயங்குற வளித்தருள்

அச்சுட ராஞ்சபை யருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி!

In

The

Sublime

Mystic

Consciousness-Space

Of

The

Orb

Of

Light

Which

Constitutes

The

Power

Of

Illumination

Of

The

Sun,

Moon,

And

Fire,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

Starting with couplet 14, these couplets refer to the higher spaces (Tamil: வெளி or Veli) and levels of consciousness in which the OmniLight manifests itself.

Another connotation of the Tamil expression “வெளி” (Veli), and its cognates “அம்பலம்” (Ambalam) and “சபை” (Sabhai), is the public hall, or assembly, or intersubjectively accessible space. Hence, the “public halls” or higher spaces of manifestation of OmniLight described in these couplets are accessible by qualified persons or beings in advanced states of conscious experience.

The Tamil expression “முச்சுடர்” (moochudar) refers to the three primary sources of light in the cosmos: solar, lunar, and fire.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.

OmniLight Invocations 365

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: 31

சமயங் கடந்த தனிப்பொருள் வெளியாய்

அமையுந் திருச்சபை யருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!

In

The

Sublime

Mystic

Consciousness-Space

Of

Supreme

Substance

And

Reality,

Beyond

The

Reach

Of

Religious

Sectarianism,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

Starting with couplet 14, these couplets refer to the higher spaces (Tamil: வெளி or Veli) and levels of consciousness in which the OmniLight manifests itself.

Another connotation of the Tamil expression “வெளி” (Veli), and its cognates “அம்பலம்” (Ambalam) and “சபை” (Sabhai), is the public hall, or assembly, or intersubjectively accessible space. Hence, the “public halls” or higher spaces of manifestation of OmniLight described in these couplets are accessible by qualified persons or beings in advanced states of conscious experience.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.

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.

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 30

என்றாதிய சுடர்க்கியனிலை யாயது

வன்றாந் திருச்சபை யருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!

In

The

Sublime

Mystic

Consciousness-Space

Which

Is

The

Transcendent

Origin

Of

All

Orbs

Of

Light

In

The

Cosmos,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

Starting with couplet 14, these couplets refer to the higher spaces (Tamil: வெளி or Veli) and levels of consciousness in which the OmniLight manifests itself.

Another connotation of the Tamil expression “வெளி” (Veli), and its cognates “அம்பலம்” (Ambalam) and “சபை” (Sabhai), is the public hall, or assembly, or intersubjectively accessible space. Hence, the “public halls” or higher spaces of manifestation of OmniLight described in these couplets are accessible by qualified persons or beings in advanced states of conscious experience.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.