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
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 143:
பிறிவேது இனி உனைப் பிடித்தனம் உனக்கு நம்
அறிவே வடிவெனும் அருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!
Commentary: This couplet conveys the OmniLight’s benediction on Ramalingam: “There will be no separation from me. In this union, my intelligence is the very form of your being.”
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 142:
சூரிய சந்திர ஜோதியுட்ஜோதி என்று
ஆரியர் புகழ்தரும் அருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!
Commentary: This couplet points out that the OmniLight is celebrated by the Aryans (ஆரியர் – Ariyar) as the Light within the solar and lunar lights.
In classical Tamil literature, the Aryans were the inhabitants of Indian Himalayan valleys and the Indo-Gangetic plains. Southern Indian Brāhmins who were descended from these groups were also designated by that term. The worship of the Sun and the Moon was an important aspect of their religious practices.
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 141:
ஆரியல் அகம்புறம் அகப்புறம் புறப்புறம்
ஆரமு தெனக்கருள் அருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!
Commentary: This couplet refers to the four levels of existence characterized by ஆரியல் or beauty and other excellences: அகம் or the Inmost (soul), அகப்புறம் or the Inner (mind as an ensemble of faculties), புறம் or the Outer (body as an ensemble of senses), and புறப்புறம் or the Outermost (the environment).
It also refers to beautiful and divine kinds of ambrosia (ஆரமுது) capable of rejuvenating these levels of existence.
In this couplet, Ramalingam petitions the OmniLight to bestow these divine kinds of ambrosia on him in each of these levels of existence.
THE IMMORTALIZING WAY OF OMNILIGHT (அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி பெருநெறி) 