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: 663

இறந்தவ ரெல்லா மெழுந்திடப் புரியுஞ்

சிறந்தவல் லபமுறு திருவருண் மருந்தே!

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: 662

சித்திக்கு மூலமாஞ் சிவமருந் தெனவுளந்

தித்திக்கு ஞானத் திருவருண் மருந்தே!

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: 661

உடற்பிணி யனைத்தையு முயிர்ப்பிணி யனைத்தையு

மடர்ப்பறத் தவிர்த்த வருட்சிவ மருந்தே!

The

Medicine

Of

Pure

Intelligence,

Which

Certainly

Averted

All

Ailments

Of

My

Body

And

Soul,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

This couplet continues the series of couplets on மணி (Gemstone), மந்திரம் (Mantra), and மருந்து (Medicine). The OmniLight and its revelatory and other powers are described in terms of these three central metaphors of precious gemstone, mantra, and medicine.

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.

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: 660

வேதமு மாகம விரிவுக ளனைத்தும்

ஓதநின் றுலவா தோங்குமந் திரமே!

The

Sacred

Mantra,

Which

Surpasses

And

Transcends

The

Invocations

Of

All

The

Vedas

And

Agamas,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

The previous couplet described the OmniLight as the sacred mantra which encompasses all other mantras. This couplet points out that the OmniLight is also the sacred mantra which surpasses and transcends the mantras of all scriptures such as the Vedas and Agamas.

This couplet continues the series of couplets on மணி (Gemstone), மந்திரம் (Mantra), and மருந்து (Medicine). The OmniLight and its revelatory and other powers are described in terms of these three central metaphors of precious gemstone, mantra, and medicine.

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.

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: 659

ஐந்தென வெட்டென வாறென நான்கென

முந்துறு மறைமுறை மொழியுமந் திரமே!

The

Sacred

Mantra,

Which

Scriptures

Proclaim

In

The

Forms

Of

Five,

Eight,

Six,

And

Four

Syllables,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

This couplet affirms that the OmniLight manifesting as Mantra encompasses the great mantras or invocations of the Hindu traditions. These mantras are different forms of One sacred mantra manifestation of the OmniLight.

The mantra of Siva has five syllables, “நமசிவாய” (Na ma Si va ya) or “சிவாயநம” (Si va ya Na ma). It is the sacred mantra of Tamil Saivism.

The mantra of Vishnu has eight syllables, “ஓம் ந மோ நா ரா ய நா ய” (Om Na mo Na ra ya na ya), if we presuppose that Oṁ is a single syllable. In fact, in the Bhagavad Gita, Om is considered a single syllable (“I am the syllable oṁ in the Vedic mantras” – BG 7.8). It is the sacred mantra of Tamil Vaishnavism.

The mantra of Murugan has six syllables, “ச ர வ ண ப வ” (sa ra va na ba va). It is the sacred mantra of Tamil worshippers of Murugan, who was also the patron deity of classical Tamil poets. The Tirumurukāṟṟuppaṭai is a great work of classical Tamil religious poetry devoted to the praise of the deity Murugan. Incidentally, even in his teens, Ramalingam composed many beautiful poems and songs on Murugan.

Here is a wonderful performance of the mantra of Murugan by Shalini Singh, soprano Anne Reich, tenor Sooraj Santhosh, and the Chamber Choir Of Europe:

Some “Bījā mantras” of the Divine Mother or Shakti have four syllables.

This couplet continues the series of couplets on மணி (Gemstone), மந்திரம் (Mantra), and மருந்து (Medicine). The OmniLight and its revelatory and other powers are described in terms of these three central metaphors of precious gemstone, mantra, and medicine.

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.

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: 658

அகரமு முகரமு மழியாச் சிகரமும்

வகரமு மாகிய வாய்மைமந் திரமே!

Mantra

Of

Eternal

Truth,

Which

Encompasses

The

Letters

அ,

உ,

The

Imperishable

சி,

And

வ,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

This cryptic couplet uses the selected letters of Tamil as symbols of spiritual truths. It affirms that the OmniLight encompasses all sacred mantras.

The term “அகரம்” (Agaram) refers to the letter “அ”. It is the first letter of the Tamil alphabet. It symbolizes the origin of things. It is also the first letter of the mantra Aum (OM), representing the primordial vibration and sound.

The term “உகரம்” (ugaram) refers to the letter “உ”. It is the fifth letter of the Tamil alphabet and symbolizes the five cosmic powers and functions of OmniLight: creation, protection, regulation, obscuration, and revelation.

The term “சிகரம்” (sigaram) refers to the letter “சி” which is at the start of the sacred mantra of Siva, சிவாயநம (sivaya namah). “சிவம்” (Sivam) means “pure intelligence”. “சிகரம்” also means “summit”. Hence, it points to the truth that the OmniLight is the summit of existence, the supreme reality, which is pure intelligence (sivam).

The term “வகரம்” (Vagaram) refers to the letter “வ”. The sacred mantra of Vaishnavites (worshippers of Vishnu) begins with வ: வாசுதேவாய நம (Vasudevaya namah).

வகரம் is also a concept in Tamil linguistics.

In the context of this couplet, the term “வகரம்” is interpreted by some commentators on the Arutperunjothi Agaval, notably Saravanananda, as a reference to the aspect of supreme compassion (அருள் or Arul) of OmniLight.

This couplet continues the series of couplets on மணி (Gemstone), மந்திரம் (Mantra), and மருந்து (Medicine). The OmniLight and its revelatory and other powers are described in terms of these three central metaphors of precious gemstone, mantra, and medicine.

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.

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: 657

கற்பம் பலபல கழியினு மழியாப்

பொற்புற வளித்த புனிதமந் திரமே!

Immaculate

Divine

Mantra,

Which

Bestowed

On

Me

The

Benediction

Of

Imperishable

Excellence,

Radiant

Beauty,

And

Plenitude

Even

If

Aeons

Were

To

Pass,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

The Tamil word “பொற்பு” (Porppu) in this couplet refers to a condition of excellence, beauty, and plenitude or abundance.

This couplet continues the series of couplets on மணி (Gemstone), மந்திரம் (Mantra), and மருந்து (Medicine). The OmniLight and its revelatory and other powers are described in terms of these three central metaphors of precious gemstone, mantra, and medicine.

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.

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: 656

வான்பெறற் கரிய வகையெலாம் விரைந்து

நான்பெற வளித்த நாதமந் திரமே!

Resounding

Mantra

Of

Primordial

Vibration

And

Sound,

Which

Swiftly

Bestowed

On

Me

The

Great

Goods

Difficult

Even

For

The

Celestials

To

Obtain,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

This couplet continues the series of couplets on மணி (Gemstone), மந்திரம் (Mantra), and மருந்து (Medicine). The OmniLight and its revelatory and other powers are described in terms of these three central metaphors of precious gemstone, mantra, and medicine.

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.

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.

Navamani or Navaratna: The Nine Great Gemstones

Necklace studded with the nine gems

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet: 655

நவமணி முதலிய நலமெலாந் தருமொரு

சிவமணி யெனுமருட் செல்வமா மணியே!

Treasured

Divine

Gem

Of

Supreme

Good

And

Pure

Intelligence,

Which

Bestows

All

The

Benefits

And

Blessings

Of

The

Nine

Treasured

Gems,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

The Tamil expression “நவமணி” (Navamani – Sanskrit: नवरत्न or Navaratna) ) at the start of this couplet refers to the nine precious gems celebrated by Tamils: கோமேதகம் (kōmētakam or Garnet or Sardonyx), நீலம் (nīlam or Sapphire), பவளம் (pavaḷam or Red Coral), புட்பராகம் (puṭparākam or Topaz), மரகதம் (marakatam or Emerald), மாணிக்கம் (māṇikkam or Ruby), முத்து (muttu or Pearl), வைடூரியம் (vaiṭūriyam or Cymophane or “Cat’s Eye”), and வயிரம் (vayiram or Diamond).

In psychic and astrological lore, each of these gems counteracts or augments a planetary influence, wards off or alleviates certain types of adversity, and confers special benefits.

But this couplet affirms that the OmniLight confers all the benefits or protections of these nine gems and much more.

This couplet continues the series of couplets on மணி (Gemstone), மந்திரம் (Mantra), and மருந்து (Medicine). The OmniLight and its revelatory and other powers are described in terms of these three central metaphors of precious gemstone, mantra, and medicine.

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.

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: 654

தாழ்வெலாந் தவிர்த்துச் சகமிசை யழியா

வாழ்வெனக் களித்த வளரொளி மணியே!

Gem

Of

Ever-Growing

Resplendence,

Which

Averted

My

Descent

Into

The

Depths

Of

Inner

Poverty,

Despair,

And

Degradation,

And

Bestowed

On

Me

The

Immortal

Life

On

The

Summit

Of

The

Universe,

OmniLight Of Supreme Compassion!

Notes:

The Tamil expression “சகமிசை” is a compound of two words: “சகம்” (Cakam) meaning “world, universe” and “மிசை” (misai) meaning “summit”. Therefore, “சகமிசை” means “summit of the universe”. It contrasts with the term “தாழ்வு” (Thaazhvu) meaning “depths” (of impoverishment, despair, and degradation).

This couplet continues the series of couplets on மணி (Gemstone), மந்திரம் (Mantra), and மருந்து (Medicine). The OmniLight and its revelatory and other powers are described in terms of these three central metaphors of precious gemstone, mantra, and medicine.

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.