OmniLight Invocations 365

Hindu Anthropomorphic portrayal of a Deva, or supra-terrestrial being. Ramalingam affirms the existence of different types of supra-terrestrial beings, but rejects anthropomorphic and mythic portrayals of them.

Arutperunjothi Agaval: Couplet 375:

தேவரை யெல்லாந் திகழ்புற வமுதளித்

தாவகை காத்தரு ளருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி

Resplendent outer ambrosia,

Rejuvenating the radiant bodies,

Of the Devas

the supra-terrestrial beings,

By the Supreme Compassion of OmniLight!

Note: The outer (புறம் – puram – what is outer to the inner) pertains to the physical constitution or structure of things or entities. In the case of living beings, it refers to the physical body and its constitution or structure, e.g., the structure of the senses, skin, hair, limbs, etc. Therefore, the resplendent outer ambrosia (திகழ் புற அமுது) is a form of liquid nourishment generated within the bodies of the Deva type (தேவர் வகை) of supra-terrestrial beings by the supreme compassion of OmniLight.

The Arutperunjothi Agaval is Ramalingam’s magnum opus of enlightenment poetry composed in 798 couplets in 1872. The meditative recitation of these prayers helps to develop compassion for living beings.

In later posts, I will offer commentaries on these verses.