வளைபட்ட கைம் மாதொடு, மக்கள் எனும்
தளைபட்டு அழியத் தகுமோ? தகுமோ?
கிளைபட்டு எழு சூர் உரமும், கிரியும்,
தொளைபட்டு உருவத் தொடு வேலவனே. (4)
valai patta kai madhodu makkal enum
thalai pattu azhiya thagumo? thagumo?
kilai pattu ezhu soor uramum giriyum
tholai pattu uruva thodu velavane (4)
வளை - Bangle (bracelet)
பட்ட - Adorning
கை - Hand
மாதொடு - Lady (and)
மக்கள் - kids and relations
எனும் - so called
தளைபட்டு - bound by leash
அழியத் - To be ruined
தகுமோ? தகுமோ? - Is it ok? Is it ok?
கிளைபட்டு - With all the relations
எழு - arose
சூர் - Surapadman
உரமும் - chest
கிரியும் - Hill
தொளைபட்டு உருவத் - Pierced
தொடு - Threw / Launched
வேலவனே - God with Spear
Short Meaning
Oh Lord of Spear, who pierced the strong chest and hill of the mighty Surapadman! Is it ok that I be leashed by bonds with women (adorned with bangles in their hands) and kids and relatives and be ruined?
Gloss
I am not exactly known for my brevity, but, it is quite possible to be misled by the direct meaning of this verse. So, request you to please go over the extended gloss of this verse in patience. (since the theme will repeat few times more in the further verses)
Humans - men and women are totally self sufficient, because their souls is no different from the Super Soul, Shiva. This observation is true only if people look inward.
Due to the force of Maya, men and women are both drawn outward to the world in mind, and hence there is a constant feeling of insufficiency. At the beginning was the Sound (Nada) and from the Divine Will arose the Mighty Universe, beginning with a point (Bindu). The point first separated into two (kala - the act of splitting). This Holy couple is usually referred to as Shiva / Parvati or the Yin and Yang or Purusha and Prakriti and so on - A male aspect and a female aspect. [Please remember the Thiruppugazh which praises Murugan as Nada Bindhu Kala'di Namo Namo - One Who is earlier to the Nada (Sound), Bindhu (Point), Kala (Separation)]
The act of separation creates a longing to reunite, and this longing is evident in all species. Just that, the feeling of completeness cannot be sought outside. The feeling can be overcome only by uniting Shakti and Shiva within each of our self. In Tantra, this is expressed as Kundalini in the Mooladhara Chakra (at the base of the Spine) awakened and uniting with Shiva in Sahasrara Chakra (Thousand Petalled Lotus) at the top of the head. But, this feeling, when externalized, makes people seek the opposite gender and is fundamental because the split is Primal.
Sri Arunagiri, before he got realized was also severely bound by lust and sought company of women that he spent all his wealth in this pursuit (also evident in Kumarakottam Thiruppugazh - 'Arivilappithar'). This makes Sri Arunagiri sing against this in most his verses. This should NOT be interpreted as Sri Arunagiri is against women. He feels Lord Murugan's Grace which led him not to seek completeness outside, but inside. So, based on his experience in his body before realization, he sings out against cautioning people not be bound by lust. The warning is equal for both men and women. However, while he expresses this, it comes out as warning against women (because of his perspective)
வளைபட்ட கைம் மாதொடு - Sri Arunagiri wants a life which is not binding. According to Hindu Philopsophy, all bonds are leashes - It doesn't matter if a leash is made of steel or of Gold. Both bind the person down. Similarly, Sri Arunagiri wants to transcend being bound by lust of women (who decorate their hands by wearing bangles) and kids (மக்கள்). This doesn't mean Sri Arunagiri is against concept of family. This concept is essential for people to mature and grow together. At the same time, pure love is non-binding. If it is not pure love, it causes envy, jealousy, doubt and a myriad negative feelings which are not liberating. So, the person has to be born again and again till he transcends it. For a person who has transcended this, does not require structures like family to evolve. So, Sri Arunagiri wants be unbound, and not be leashed into bonds.
தளைபட்டு அழியத் - Sri Arunagiri is quite strict when it comes to describing the act of being bound. He says, is it ok to be leashed and ruined? (or destroyed)
தகுமோ? தகுமோ? - He questions the Lord if it is ok? The question is rhetorical. He emphasizes is anguish by asking Lord Murugan if it is ok for him to be bound and ruined?
கிளைபட்டு எழு சூர் - When the evil overlord Sri Surapadman waged war with Lord Subrahmanya, he came to the war with all his relatives (கிளை) - The word கிளை means branches. In this context, the branches indicate 'family'.
உரமும் - The chest is symbolic of strength. Lord Murugan pierced the Chest of Asura Surapadman.
கிரியும் - One of the brothers of Surapadman, Tarakan (or Tarakasuran) stood in the way of Lord Murugan and His army as a mountain. Lord Murugan pierced and destroyed this mountain too. (தொளைபட்டு உருவத்)
தொடு - The word means 'To launch' - When the evil Asuras came in various forms, Lord Murugan launched His Spear which is nothing but pure Knowledge (Gnana) and destroyed them.
வேலவனே - Since Sri Arunagiri invokes the Lord with the imagery of Him destroying evil with his Spear (vel), he calls the Lord as Velavan (One Who Holds the Spear)
As mentioned earlier, the Spear is Great Goddess Parvati and Her power (Shakti) - So, there is nothing in the known / unknown Universe that can overcome it. People invoke Lord by shouting 'Vel Vel Muruga, Vetrivel Muruga'
With this verse, we should pray to Lord Murugan as Lord Velavan, Who will not let us be bound, and grant us the final liberation and Unite with Him.
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