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: 128
இன்பசித் தியினிய லேக மனேகம்
அன்பருக் கென்றவென் னருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!
Commentary:
This couplet states that the OmniLight declared that the different forms of bliss vouched to its lovers (lovers of the OmniLight) are expressions or manifestations of One Bliss-Consciousness.
The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.
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: 127
ஏகசிற் சித்தியே யியலுற வனேகம்
ஆகிய தென்றவென் னருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!
Commentary:
This couplet affirms that the OmniLight revealed to Ramalingam that the manifold forms of siddhis or powers of consciousness are expressions or manifestations of One “சிற்சித்தி” (Chitsiddhi) or Consciousness-Power.
The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.
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: 126
சித்தியென் பதுநிலை சேர்ந்த வநுபவம்
அத்திற லென்றவென் னருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!
Commentary:
This couplet describes the ultimate goal in Suddha Sanmargam, a life of Siddhi or Adepthood.
It says that this Siddhi is “நிலை சேர்ந்த வநுபவம்” or the attainment of the immutable state of realization and union with OmniLight, the Ultimate Reality. The relevant meaning of the key word “நிலை” (Nilai), in this context, is permanence and immutability.
The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.
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: 125
முத்தியென் பதுநிலை முன்னுறு சாதனம்
அத்தக வென்றவென் னருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!
Commentary:
This couplet declares that முத்தி (Tamil: Muthi) or liberation from desire or craving, and attachment to objects, including the body, is the stable basis and prior practice or preparation (for the goal of Siddhi or Adepthood).
It affirms that this was a revelation from the OmniLight.
It is a revolutionary departure from the religious traditions of India which maintain that mukti, or mokṣa, or liberation (Sanskrit: मोक्ष)is the ultimate end or goal.
The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.
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: 124
புடையுறு சித்தியின் பொருட்டே முத்தியை
அடைவதென் றருளிய வருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!
Commentary:
This couplet affirms a central teaching of Ramalingam’s path of Suddha Sanmargam, the pure path to wisdom and harmony: enlightenment or liberation is the means to the attainment of the fullness of the life of Siddhi or Adepthood.The couplet declares that this teaching was revealed by the OmniLight.
The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.
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: 123
ஞானசித் தியின்வகை நல்விரி வனைத்தும்
ஆனியின் றெனக்கரு ளருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!
Commentary:
In this couplet, Ramalingam petitions the OmniLight to grant him the manifold beneficial forms of ஞானசித்தி (gnanasiddhi) or Powers of Cognition and Knowledge in their immaculate condition.
The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.
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: 122
யோகசித் திகள்வகை யுறுபல கோடியும்
ஆகவென் றெனக்கரு ளருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!
Commentary:
In this couplet, Ramalingam petitions the OmniLight to grant him the manifold யோகசித்தி (yogasiddhi) or Yogic Powers Of Identification and Union.
The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.
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: 121
கருமசித் திகளின் கலைபல கோடியும்
அரசுற வெனக்கரு ளருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!
Commentary:
In this couplet, Ramalingam petitions the OmniLight to bestow on him கருமசித்தி (karuma siddhi) or Powers of Action and Execution in their vast number of varieties.
The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.
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: 120
மூவகைச் சித்தியின் முடிபுகள் முழுவதும்
ஆவகை யெனக்கரு ளருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி!
Commentary:
This couplet petitions the OmniLight to reveal the three kinds of Siddhis (Tamil: சித்தி) or extraordinary powers and their consummation.
The three kinds of extraordinary powers celebrated by Ramalingam in the subsequent couplets are: கருமசித்தி or powers of action or execution, யோகசித்தி or powers of identification and union, and ஞானசித்தி or powers of knowledge.
The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of spiritual enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872.