Saturday, March 21, 2015

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #9 - When will I overcome my lower tendencies?




மட்டூர் குழல் மங்கையர் மையல் வலைப்
பட்டு, ஊசல்படும் பரிசு என்று ஒழிவேன்?
தட்டு ஊடு அற வேல் சயிலத்து எறியும்
நிட்டூர நிராகுல, நிர்பயனே (9)

Mattoor Kuzhal Mangaiyar Maiyal Valai
Pattu Oosalpadum Parisu Endru Ozhiven?
Thattu oodu ara Vel Sayilatthu Eriyum
Nittoora Nirakula Nir-payane! (9)

மட்டூர் - With flowers oozing honey
குழல் - (Long) Hair
மங்கையர் - Women
மையல் - Lust
வலைப்பட்டு - Entwined 
ஊசல்படும் - Wavering
பரிசு - Gift (in a condescending way)
என்று - When
ஒழிவேன் - I get get rid of
தட்டு ஊடு அற - Penetrate without any difficulty
வேல் - Spear
சயிலத்து - Mountain
எறியும் - Throw
நிராகுல - Without problems of mind 
நிர்பயனே - The benefit

Short Meaning
When will I be free of lust, towards women who have decorated their long hair with flowers which ooze with honey? Oh Lord, who pierced the (Krauncha) Mountain without any resistance with your spear! 


Gloss
As mentioned in the earlier verses (e.g., Verse 4), Sri Arunagiri requests the Lord to help him overcome the weakness of lust (and other lower tendencies) - We have to read this verse in the perspective of the history of Sri Arunagiri (who lost all his wealth pursuing carnal pleasures, overcome with lust)

Scriptures have two meaning
1. Vachyaartha - (Vak + Artha) : Meaning of the words
2. Lakshyaartha - (Lakshya + Artha) : Intended meaning

If we look at just the meaning of the words, it might appear that Sri Arunagiri is condescending on women. However, it is not the case. He cries out for help, on behalf of his devotees who are bonded with various negative qualities such as lust, desire, anger, greed, envy etc. Because of the personal life history of Sri Arunagiri, the words that are used come out against lust appear are against women. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa is also sometimes misunderstood since He used to say two biggest hurdles to spiritual progress are 'Kaamini, Kaanchan' - Women and Money. He only meant the negative tendency of uncontrolled lust for men, and it is equally applicable across genders

Sri Arunagiri implores Lord Murugan to help him overcome his lust so that He can worship the Lord. 

Bhagawan Sri Ramana Maharshi also asks Lord Arunachala:
Ūr/sut/rulam/vidā
Dunaik/kan/dadan/gida
Un/nazha/haik/kāt
Arunā/chalā.

"Oh Arunchala, Show me your beauty, so that my mind will subside in you, and give up jumping all over the world, in pursuit of material desires"

It is scriptural truth that mind can never stay idle. Sri Eckhard Tolle, a 21st Century Rishi who is still alive says "Mind wants to want, more than it wants to have"

In Yoga Vaashishta, Lord Ram, says to Brahmarshi Vashishta - "Oh Saint, the mind can never be satiated. Trying to be happy by fulfilling desires of the mind is like trying to fill a sieve with water"

The only way to overcome the mind is to give it a different goal - 
Patruga patratraan patrinai; appatrai
Patruga patru vidarkku. (Kural: 350)

Thiruvalluvar says "Hold on to the One who is not Bonded. This bond will help you relieve from all other Bonds"

By pursuing a higher goal, of that to Unite with Lord Subrahmanya, is the only way for mortals to give up their bonds with stuff of lower nature.

In this, Sri Arunagiri calls out to the Lord, in the form of warrior who pierced the Krauncha Mountain effortlessly with the Spear. 

Tarakasura was a dangerous Asura who would disguise himself as a mountain when saints used to pass. He would show a false way inside the mountain, lead them into a cave and kill them. He tried to do the same to the infinitely wise, Sri Agastya. Sri Agastya immediately found this out, and cursed the Asura to stay as a mountain and said he would be killed by Lord Subrahmanya on the way to kill  Asura Surabadman.

When Lord Subrahmanya tried to cross the mountain, the Asura used all his Black Magic against the army of Devas. But he did not know it was Lord of Lords was leading them. With a single throw of the Spear, which is the complete power of Goddess Parvati, which is no different from Gnana (Pure Knowledge), the Tarakasura, a symbol of darkness was killed

Lets implore Lord Subrahmanya, the Supreme Goal, the embodiment of all knowledge to free us from the bonds of lower tendencies. 


7 comments:

  1. Hi Sriram,

    Your detailed explanations were nice. Please continue writing for remaining verses as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just updated with Verse #10 - Thanks for your support!

      Delete
  2. Its almost an year. I think you need to continue and complete this narration. These kind of tasks should not be stopped for any cause during half way.
    Just 42 more. May Lord Kumara's sakthi vel give you the energy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just updated with Verse #10

      Your words of encouragement prodded me to get on! Thanks for your support!

      Delete
  3. Alwarsamy / Raj:
    Apologize for the delay from my side.

    I recently prayed to Ganesha and Subrahmanya to remove obstacles and give me energy to complete this work.

    With your kind support, I believe that I'll be able to complete this soon.

    I'll post the next episode shortly.

    Regards
    Sriram

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sriram,

      Thanks for continuing your writing.
      I am visiting the blog after two years, very much happy to see your posts from verses 10 to 14.

      Keep writing....

      Delete