Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #1 - Let me always Sing your Glory! (Aadum Pari)

ஆடும் பரி, வேல், அணிசேவல் எனப்
பாடும் பணியே பணியா அருள்வாய்
தேடும் கயமா முகனைச் செருவில்
சாடும் தனி யானைச் சகோதரனே. (1) 

aadum pari, vel, ani seval ena
paadum paniye paniya arulvai
thedum kayama muganai cheruvil
saadum thani yaanai sagotharane  (1)

ஆடும் பரி - Dancing Peacock
வேல் - Spear
அணிசேவல் - Handsome Rooster
எனப் - about
பாடும் பணியே - Singing Service
பணியா - As my Duty
அருள்வாய் - Grace me
தேடும் - Searching
கயமா முகனைச் - (Asura) Kaya Ma Mukan
செருவில் - In war
சாடும் - Defeat
தனி யானைச் - A single elephant
சகோதரனே - Brother

Short Meaning
Oh Brother of Ganesha (who defeated the evil asura Kayamamukan single handedly), Grace me with the duty of singing about your Dancing Peacock, Spear and Beautiful Rooster. 

Gloss

By this time, you must have figured out the Genius of Sri Arunagiri Nathar, and how he uses the language. he uses a technique of alliteration called Edugai in Tamil. The second syllable of all the 52 verses are same. He not only exposes himself as a poet of great erudition, but also that it was the Divine that was singings Its own Glory. 

In verse #1, Sri Arunagiri places His request to Lord Subrahmanya - Grace me with the Duty of always singing about you! He indirectly places this request by saying, Let me always sing about three things (that always reminds anyone about Lord Murugan)

1. ஆடும் பரி (aadum pari)

2. வேல் (vel)

3. அணி சேவல் (ani seval)

(1) Peacock is one of the most magnificent birds in the world. It is even more enchanting to watch it dance. In Tamil Nadu (not in the latest generation), but people in 30s and older would remember that we used to remember Murugan whenever we see a rooster or a peacock, it was mandatory to gently tap the cheeks and say 'Muruga'. 

I am reminded of my Late Aunt Sri Meenakshi (affectionately called Meena Periamma) who was a devotee of Lord Muruga. When she went to Sri Ramana Ashram,  she used to prostrate saying 'Murugaaa' whenever she saw a peacock. The issue was there were 10s of peacocks there and she, with her severe arthritis used to prostrate every time she saw a peacock! Her sons later had to persuade her not to do that because of her failing health and severe knee pain. That's how much people remember (or used to remember) Murugan in Tamil Nadu. 

Murugan's peacock is no ordinary one! There is an entire poem written by none other than Sri Arunagiri on it (called Mayil Viruttam) - Murugan alights on his peacock and rushes to the aide of His devotees in trouble. (we can see more in verse #10 about that). Peacock is also called 'Neela Greeva' meaning Blue Necked. It is interesting to note that Lord Shiva, Lord Murugan's father is also called 'Neela Greeva' 

neela greevaya'cha shitikantaya'cha (Sri Rudram)

(2) Vel (Spear) is Knowledge. Not the ordinary knowledge, but the One which removes the veil of Maya and shows the Ultimate Reality is One. (Ekam'eva Advitiyam - There is Only One, and it is Undivided)

Sri Arunagiri, the Master of Adjectives, probably felt, that Knowledge exists on its own, and did not want to add adjectives as he added to the rooster and peacock. 

The Vel can be worshipped as is. There is no difference between Vel and Murugan, though it appears as He holds the Spear. The Spear is nothing but Knowledge, arising from Shakti (Supreme Goddess). It was this Spear which split the most evil of Asuras Sri Surapadman. In the climax of the fight, Surapadman stood as a tree of steel which couldn't be fell. Finally, Lord Murugan used His Spear to split this Tree into two, which was converted to the Rooster and the Peacock. Both became aides of Sri Subrahmanya. Indirectly, it was the Spear which got the other two. 

In Tamil Nadu, we say 'Etti po pagaiye, thulli varuguthu vel' - 'Oh Obstacles, go far away from me. Don't you see the Vel rushing to help me?'

Also, "Vel'undu bayam illai" - Vel is there to protect us! I have no fear!

(3) The rooster is also essential part of Lord Murugan's worship. The rooster is handsome and it finds place in Murugan's flag. 

Sri Arunagiri always wants to be lost in the thought of Lord Murugan. He indirectly says, he wants to sing the praise of all these three icons which are representative of the Lord. 

There were coins dating back 200 BC in both North and South India bearing the image of Murugan, Spear and Rooster / Peacock:

பாடும் பணியே பணியா அருள்வாய்

Sri Arunagiri asks, let him be Graced (அருள்வாய்)  the ONLY Duty (பணியே) of singing about the  three

தேடும் கயமா முகனைச்

In tamil, the syllable 'ja' is not used. So, the Asura who was elephant faced (gaja ma mukan in Sanskrit, became kaya ma mukan in Tamil). This Asura was immensely powerful and hunting (தேடும்) down all the Devas. 

செருவில் சாடும் தனி யானைச் 

So, to stop him, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati both focussed their view on a room which had seven crore mantras inscribed in it. From their unified vision, jumped Sri Ganesha, the elephant faced Lord. செருவில் means 'in war' 

Lord Ganesha used many weapons on the Asura, in vain. Finally, He broke one of His tusks and threw it at the Asura. The Tusk of Sri Ganesha was nothing but Knowledge (Gnanam). So, the Asura was vanquished and was converted into a type of rat on whom Lord Ganesha rides. We can see that the Divine Brothers actually converted their biggest enemies into their aides. சாடும் means vanquished தனி யானைச் represents Ganesha as an Elephant and how He single handedly won over the foe. 

சகோதரனே -> Brother

So, Lord Murugan is the Brother of Lord Ganesha who single handedly defeated the asura Kayamamukan. 

And, I assure you I have seen much more complicated adjectives used (for e.g., Arunagiri goes to multiple levels of adjectives in Thiruppugazh 'Arivilap-pitthar' - Will discuss that some other time! )

Let us also pray to Lord Subrahmanya with this verse that let us always Remember Him! Let Murugan be the constant one in our thoughts. All our efforts will indeed fetch success. 

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #0 - Invocation to Ganesha (Nenjakkana Kal)

நெஞ்சக் கன கல்லு நெகிழ்ந்து உருகத்
தஞ்சத்து அருள் சண்முகனுக்கு இயல்சேர்
செஞ்சொற் புனை மாலை சிறந்திடவே
பஞ்சக்கர ஆனை பதம் பணிவாம்

nenjakkana kallu' negiznthu uruga
thanjatthu arul shanmugan'ukku iyal ser
senjol punai maalai siranthidave
panjakkara aanai padam panivam

நெஞ்சம் - Heart
கன - Heavy
கல் - Stone
நெகிழ்ந்து - In Ecstasy
உருக - To Melt
தஞ்சத்து - One who takes refuge
அருள் - (offer) Grace
சண்முகனுக்கு - The Six Faced Lord, Shanmuga
இயல் - Equal
சேர் - To offer
செஞ்சொற் - Beautiful Words
புனை - Made
மாலை - Garland
சிறந்திடவே - To come out well
பஞ்சக்கர - Five Hands
ஆனை - Elephant
பதம் - Feet
பணிவாம் - Bow

Short Meaning

For the hearts that are harder than stone to melt out of ecstasy and for a garland (made of finest of words as an offering) to the Six Faced Lord (who offers Grace to all that come and surrender to him)  to come out par excellence, I bow to the Holy feet of the Elephant with Five Hands!

Gloss

All great things are difficult to achieve. A great start is a good indicator of success. Hindus understood that any activity could face obstacles. So, for an auspicious start of any project of any scale, they invoked Sri Ganesha, fondly called Pillayar (Venerated Son - Pillai meaning Son, and 'yar' indicating respect)

There are three kinds of obstacles that anyone faces:

1. Adyatmika - (Adi Atmika) - From Self. Most troubles can be traced to ourself. Lack of concentration, lack of focus, no energy etc. 

2. Adi Bhouthika - From the nature. There could be obstacles from natural calamities. 

3. Adi Daivika - From (demi) Gods - There are various Devatas with whom Humanity has a symbiotic relationship. If this subtle balance is broken, various bad things like droughts, diseases might happen. These problems are called Adi Daivika

This is the reason why most chantings in Vedas ends with 'Om Shanti Shanti Shanti:' (may the triad problems be resolved' (one Shanti for each)

It is almost mandatory that everyone prays to Ganesha before starting any work. Even Lord Shiva, Ganesha's father had to do that! Lord Shiva had to fall off the chariot before He burnt the Tripura since He did not worship Ganesha before the activity and even Lord Vishnu had to face the brunt of it when the 'Ksheera Sagara Mathanam' (churning of the Milk Ocean) for Nectar was started. 

If Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu have to invoke Sri Ganesha before they begin activities, we, the regular mortals have even more reasons to do it. 

Sri Arunagiri Nathar, has a tough job ahead. He wants to create a Garland (malai in tamil). But this is no ordinary Garland of regular flowers. It is Garland of Words (Sol). Not just ordinary words, but with 'fine' words (sen-jol) [semmaiyana sol] - The Garland is so - 'Senjol punai maalai' (Punai indicating the act of making the Garland)

Now two questions come:

1. For whom does Sri Arunagiri Nathar wants to make this Garland?

2. Why does he want to offer the Garland?

The simple answer to the first question is 'Shanmugan' , One with Six Faces. (Shat meaning six (in Sanskrit) and Mugan (meaning Face) - Literally, the Six Faced God. 

Sri Arunagiri Nathar is a Genius when it comes to adding adjectives. He says it is not just 'Shanmugan', but He is the Six Faced Lord,  who Offers Grace to those who Surrender onto Him. 

Thanjam means to seek refuge. Sri Vibhishanan took refuge of Lord Sri Rama. Like that, for any devotee who approaches Lord Murugan and seeks refuge (thanjam), Lord Shanmuga offers Grace (arul) to them and Protects them. So, Sri Arunagiri calls the Lord as 'Thanjathu Arul Shanmugan' 

The next question, 'Why does he want to offer the Garland' has a longer answer

1. Nenjakkana Kall Negiznthu Uruga

2. Senjol Punai Malai Siranthidave

3. Shanmugan'ukku Iyal Ser

Human heart has lost its softness because of greed, anger and lots of negative emotions. It has become as hard as a Heavy Stone (gana kal). A stone cold heart is no place for God to reside. So, the heart has to melt. It has to melt of of ecstasy (negiznthu uruga). How do we know that the heart is melting? Tears would flow down the eyes. If that doesn't happen we can say with 100% confidence that the heart is not melting. 

Heart melts for various reasons:

1. Grace - God's Grace is so profound, and most people cannot earn it (that's why it is Grace). So, when we feel God's Grace, we feel so happy that an insignificant being such as us, is being Loved by the Most Magnificent and Glorious being in the Universe and beyond

2. Joy

3. Humility

4. Forgiveness

5. Peace

6. Sacrifice etc. 

Sri Arunagiri Nathar, through the magnum opus, wants all the hearts of all the readers of Anubhuti to melt in Divine Ecstasy. 

For this to happen, the Garland should come out in a great way (siranthidave) and it should be appropriate and befitting to the Lord Murugan, whom it decorates. (iyal ser) 

So, Sri Arunagiri bows to the feet of the Elephant with Five Hands (panja-kara aanai padam panivam)

Lord Ganesha has four hands and also the trunk which is counted as the fifth hand (thuthi-kkai). Interestingly, another work, one  of the greatest works in Tamil on Mantra Sastra, Thiru Manthiram  starts 'Ainthu Karathhanai' (One with Five hands) (written by Thirumoolar). We can see different Saints, using the same description for the Great God Ganesha. 

And, let's also bow to Sri Ganesha, for success in all out endeavours. If this verse can help Sri Arunagiri Nathar to successfully complete Kandhar Anubhuti, it will help us in whatever we want to achieve. 

Introduction to Kandhar Anubhuti

This blog is the companion site of Subrahmanya Thiruppugazh - Sri TKS as he was fondly called spearheaded the Bhakti Movement in Chennai and Tamil Nadu using Thiruppugazh, one of the six works of Sri Arunagiri Nathar. He taught Tiruppugazh to a lot of people. I am so glad that Meena has taken the initiative to upload Thiruppugazh songs, sung by her and other members of the TKS' family onto web. The Kandar Anubhuti uploaded in the link was sung by Sri TKS himself and I am very nostalgic about it because I learnt Kandhar Anubhuti from this recording.

Kandhar Anubhuti is a truly divine work of the great mystic and saint, Sri Arunagirinathar. His name makes me feel that it was the great Lord Shiva Himself, who appeared as Sri ArunaGiriNathar (Arunagiri being the name of Sri Arunachala / Sri Annamalai) and Nathar indicating the Lord. Sri Arunagirinathar is one of the shining beacons of devotion, mysticism, tantra, mantra, yoga all in the effort to unite with the Supreme Lord, Sri Subrahmanya affectionately called Murugan in Tamizh.

Murugan and Tamizh both mean imperceivable beauty. Needless to say, the latter is best suited to praise the former.  Of all the things that I have enjoyed in English, Sanskrit and Tamil Literature, I feel Kandhar Anubhuti is the highest form of worship towards the Supreme Lord Subrahmanya, the finest literature and crowning glory of Bhakti.

The word Anubhuti means 'Union', just as the word 'Yoga'. The word Yoga is derived from sanskrit root 'Yuj', meaning 'to unite'. Yoga has been twisted in meaning to form a series of postures (which is basically the Asana part of the Ashtanga Yoga as documented by Sri Patanjali). The ultimate goal of Yoga is to Unite with the Supreme.

The Tamil word equivalent of Yoga is Anubhuti. The question comes, Unite with whom? This work enables the devotee to Unite with the Highest Form of Divinity, Sri Subrahmanya, the One without any Superior.

It also means, this work is a spontaneous outpouring of Sri Arunagiri Nathar when he was in Divine Ecstacy of being united with Lord Sri Skanda, the other name of Sri Murugan. It is popular to say that Sri Arunagirinathar sang Anubhuti when he was in Anubhuti

People who delve in Mantra Shastrams (works) will know that there are 51 principal Bheeja Mantrams. Bheeja means seeds. These 51 seeds (bheejas) are filled with explosive powers. However, they are not for the uninitiated (literally!) - These mantras need to be obtained from the Guru who 'initiates' his disciples with the proper Bheeja mantras. If these mantras are misused or used without proper technique, it can even harm the practitioner (when you play with fire, you need to be careful!). These Bheeja mantras are quite infamous because of the TV shows and movies making the black magicians and evil guys uses these sacred Bheeja syllables (kleem, hreem etc) - They are so sacred and powerful I think it is a sacrilege to even list them in text. I am indicating examples of a couple of Bheeja mantras only to illustrate what they are.

However, the mastermind of Sri Arunagirinathar wanted the benefits of Bheeja mantras to reach the common man without any evil side-effect. So, he expanded them into 51 verses of Kandhar Anubhuti! One who chants the 51 verses are indeed blessed with the result of using all the 51 Bheeja mantras without any evil side-effect! Trust Sri Arunagirinathar to do this!

Since each of the verse is expansion of a Bheeja, needless to say, each of these 51 verses is indeed a mantra. They need to be used respectfully and each of the verse can bestow a different blessing. They are not just works of beautiful poetry filled with alliteration, homophonics and illustrations - They are very potent mantras, which can grant mundane material wishes to the biggest benefit of all - Liberation and Union with Lord Subrahmanya

We will talk more about Kandhar Anubhuti going forward. In the next installment, we'll delve into the invocatory verse of this magnum opus in which Sri Arunagirinathar invokes Sri Ganesha, Murugan's elder brother to grant him the power to complete this work.

I pray to the elephant faced Lord too! For this work is immense and I am the least qualified. Meena thought it was a good idea to explain the verses of Kandhar Anubhuti, and I jumped in without a moment of thought if I have the capability for this work.


Sri Gurubhyo Nama: (All Great things are achieved only by Guru's Grace - I bow to my Guru in Who's Heart the Supreme Goddess, Sri Raja Rajeshwari resides)

Om Gam Ganapathaye Nama: (Bowing to the Lord Ganesha, remover of All Obstacles)

Om Siva Subrahmanya Swamine Naha: (Bowing to Lord Subrahmanya, who is Siva Himself)

Om Sri Arunachalaya Nama: (Supreme Lord, in a Form visible to eyes as the Holy Hill, Sri Arunachala)

Om Sri Matre Nama: (Bowing to the Greatest Mother)