Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #13 - Beyond Definition

முருகன், தனிவேல் முனி, நம் குரு ... என்று
அருள் கொண்டு அறியார் அறியும் தரமோ
உரு அன்று, அரு அன்று, உளது அன்று, இலது அன்று,
இருள் அன்று, ஒளி அன்று என நின்றதுவே (13) 

Murugan Thani-Vel Muni, Nam Guru - endru
Arul Kondu Ariyar Ariyum Tharamo
Uru Andru, Aru Andru, Uladu Andru, Iladu Andru,
Irul Andru, Oli Andru ena Nindrathuve (13)

முருகன் - Lord Murugan
தனிவேல் - Spear
முனி - Lord 
நம் குரு - Our Teacher
அருள் - Grace
கொண்டு - With
அறியார் - One who does not know
அறியும் தரமோ - Will one know? (rhetorical)
உரு அன்று - Without Form
அரு அன்று - Not Formless
உளது அன்று - No existence
இலது அன்று - Not without existence
இருள் அன்று - Not Darkness
ஒளி அன்று - Not Light
என நின்றதுவே - So, It stood

Short Meaning
Lord Murugan, the peerless who wields the Spear, is our Eternal and Only Guru - This knowledge will not be known to ones who have not received His Grace (Rhetorical question - Will they know, without His Grace?) - The Lord stood in a way that cannot be defined or comprehended by the mind - He cannot be called as One with Form or without, with Existence or without, as Darkness or Light. 

Gloss
Lord Murugan is Supreme - The Spear he holds is the representation of the Ultimate Knowledge that liberates, and hence considered the final weapon against evil. 

Lord Murugan is almost always referred to as a Teacher (Guru) in Tamil Literature. He is considered the Greatest of Gurus - Since He even became Guru of Lord Shiva who in the form of Sri Dakshinamurthy is considered the Primal of all Gurus. 

To realize Lord Murugan as the Primal Guru, and hence receive the Final teaching which will liberate us from repeated Births and Deaths is impossible with the Grace of the Lord. 

So, Sri Arunagiri asks, "Without your Grace, will anyone realize Lord Murugan as the Final Guru?" 

God cannot be defined - God is beyond the realms of mind and hence cannot be described in words. 

Even the Greatest Scriptures, Vedas, that descended from God Himself, since they are in form of Words cannot capture even an iota of the Glory of God. 

In this word, Sri Arunagiri establishes a template which scriptures use - "Neti Neti" - "Not This, Not This"

Sri Arunagiri says Lord is without Form, and immediately negates Lord is not Formless too! Basically, he says that when we get entranced by Lord's beautiful Form, we should not be deluded as Lord exists only in that form. The entire Universe is His Form. Isavasyam Idam Jagat says Isavasya Upanishad. (The Entire Universe is filled with divinity). 

At the same time, Lord can't be called Formless too - All Forms are His forms. He is also beyond forms! 

He says Lord cannot be described as He Exists - Because existence is an attribute of time. Since time and Universe eventually ends, if we claim Lord exists in time, He also will be vanquished when time ends. So, Lord cannot be called as He exists. In the next word, Sri Arunagiri says, Lord cannot be described as He doesn't exist :) Our existence is the proof that Lord exists. We cannot exist without support of the Lord. So, Lord's existence cannot be denied as well! 

God cannot also not be defined as darkness nor light - Sri Arunagiri brings out an attribute, its opposite and negates both :) 

I wish people know enough Tamil to read through this verse and enjoy the poetry aspect as well. It is only the Divine which can express itself like this. 

Arunagiri just became a vessel for the highest Divinity, Lord Murugan to express Himself in words, and Tamil the language of the divine, is the perfect vessel to communicate this.

Sri Gurubhyo Nama:

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #12 - Remain Silent!

செம்மான் மகளைத் திருடும் திருடன்

பெம்மான் முருகன், பிறவான், இறவான்

சும்மா இரு, சொல் அற .. என்றலுமே

அம்மா பொருள் ஒன்றும் அறிந்திலனே (12) 


Semman Magalai Thirudum Thirudan

Pemman Murugan Piravan Iravan

"Summa Iru - Sol-ara" endralume

Amma! Porul ondrum arindhilane (12)

செம்மான் - Red Deer

மகளைத் - Daughter

திருடும் திருடன் - The thief who stole

பெம்மான்- One of immense fame

முருகன்- Lord Murugan

பிறவான் -Is never born

இறவான் - Is without death

சும்மா இரு - Stay Silent

சொல் அற - Without Words

என்றலுமே - As I was instructed

அம்மா- Oh Mother! (expression of surprise)

பொருள் ஒன்றும் - No Object

அறிந்திலனே - I perceived

Short Meaning

Lord Murugan, who abducted (His consort Valli) the daughter of a red deer is One with No Beginning nor End. He instructed me the Supreme Advice to 'Stay Silent without objectifying anything in words (or forms)' and lo behold, I lost sense of this objective Universe (and reality dawned on me)

Gloss

The story of how Lord Murugan abducted Goddess Valli and married her is of popular lore.

Lord Vishnu once took form as a Shiva Yogi and was doing penance in Vallimalai. The same time Goddess Lakshmi took form of a Red Deer and approached Lord Vishnu. When Lord Vishnu opened His eyes, His grace entered the womb of deer and Goddess Lakshmi gave birth to a girl who was red in complexion. This girl, Goddess Valli was adopted by a King Nambirajan who was passing that way. It is said that head of Devas, Indra took birth as a king to take care of Valli

When Goddess Valli’s parents wanted to get her married, Lord Murugan who is as prankful as He is merciful, took form of an old man and asked for the hand of Valli. Valli who did not see the prank and rejected the old man. So, Lord Murugan requested help of His elder brother Lord Ganesha to intercede and Ganesha came down as a massive elephant and scared Valli. The mammoth of the elephant agreed to go away only after a scared Valli agreed to marry Murugan disguised as old man. Once Mother Valli agreed, Lord Murugan showed His most handsome Form and married Her. 

Sri Arunagiri points out to this episode while referring to Murugan as one who stole His bride (or took one with deception).

Sri Arunagiri also says, that Lord Murugan was never born nor will He ever die. One of the absolute rules in Saiva Siddantha is that, 'That which is born will die'. Time is just an illusion and simple dimension in front of God. God is beyond the aspect of time. 

Birth is an event in time. Since time itself comes to end, anything that is born should die. Lord Subrahmanya is absolute truth. Truth doesn't change with time, it is not born nor will it die. Lord Murugan is hence called as one without beginning or end. 

How can anything mortal give us immortality? So Lord Subrahmanya who grants immortality to His devotees is immortal

Here Lord Murugan is worshipped as Guru. This is one of the most famous ways in which the Lord is propitiated. Lord Murugan is Guru of even Lord Shiva, who is considered Adi Guru, Sri Dakshinamurthy. 

As the Supreme Guru, He instructed Arunagiri to be 'Silent' - (Summa iru / சும்மா இரு) without objectifying any experience in words (Sol ara / சொல் அற)

The true state is said to be 'Ekam eva Advitiyam' - Only One exists and it is Undivided Truth. This Truth is beyond the state in which we observe this causal world, i.e. the world in which we perceive objects (and) names. 

Names and Objects have a unique relationship. (Nama Roopa) - Name brings to mind the object and when you see an object you immediately brings its name to the mind. They are very deeply coupled. 

This happens so much that we do not perceive the reality that happens between thoughts. When a thought is replaced by another thought, there is a moment of clarity in-between that is never noticed. A great saint said that this Pure Consciousness who comes between is Lord Krishna Himself and hence he is called (Idaiyan - One who comes in-between, a funny twist on the name which means a shepherd)

When this entire process of naming and perceiving objects is removed, what remains is pure consciousness. This is what Sri Arunagiri says that when Lord Murugan instructed to stay in a state of Silence without perceiving any objects by the mind, He entered the state of Pure Consciousness which is described as a state of Union with Lord Subrahmanya (The state of Union is called Anubhuti in Tamil)

The whole description of Anubhuti is only for the sake of description. There is no differentiation and Lord alone exists. There needs to be two to experience Union. This state of false differentiation is effect of Maya. When the veil of Maya is removed the soul understands that there was never a state of duality. 

To go a little deeper, Bhagawan Sri Ramana Maharshi says that there are two states in which mind can ease to exist:

1. Mano Layam - Temporary cessation of mind. This can be achieved using Pranayama and Yogic techniques
2. Mano Nasham - Complete destroying of mind. This is possible only by Jnana, True Knowledge of Self. No other way. 

Lord Subrahmanya, the Jnana Panditha is also the object of the Pursuit, the real Jnana which liberates. 

Sri Arunagiri is in ecstasy as he sings this song. This is clear from his expression அம்மா! (Amma!) - Which literally means Mother, but actually is an expression of Sri Arunagiri's ecstasy. A soul which perceives this non-differentiation is immersed in Infinite Joy and is Grateful for the Grace. There is no expression in any language that comes close to sharing this experience. Vedas indirectly describe this as a state which has forms but no forms, words but not words, cannot be perceived by any senses etc. How to describe something that which is beyond the realms of words? Sri Arunagiri simply calls out 'Oh Mother' ! (What wonder is this!) - He says I am unable to find any meaning to this experience. (பொருள் ஒன்றும் அறிந்திலனே) Because words, meanings exist only in this world!

This verse is the crowning jewel of Kandhar Anubhuti if one may call it. This is actually difficult because each verse is a Gem of infinite value. The most learned Saints glorify this verse of Anubhuti because:

1. It portrays Lord Subrahmanya as the Ultimate Guru, who gives final instruction
2. It portrays Sri Arunagiri as a perfect disciple who got the import of the final interaction
3. It indicates that Sri Arunagiri attained the final state
4. Describes Sri Arunagiri's predicament to describe the final object less state 

May we all get Lord Subrahmanya as our Guru and reach this state of immortality!

Shri Gurubhyo Nama:

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #11 - You made me immortal!

கூகா என என் கிளை கூடி அழப்
போகா வகை, மெய்ப்பொருள் பேசியவா
நாகாசல வேலவ நாலு கவித்
தியாகா சுரலோக சிகாமணியே (11) 

Kooga ena en kilai koodi azha
Poga vagai meipporul pesiyava
nagachala velava naalu kavi 
thyaga sura-loga sigamaniye (11)


கூகா - Onomatopoeia for the wailing sound raised when someone known is dead
என - similar
என் - my
கிளை - relatives
கூடி அழ - cry together
போகா வகை - Did not happen
மெய்ப்பொருள் - Substance of eternal truth
பேசியவா - You spoke (taught)
நாகாசல - Of the Serpent Hill
வேலவ - One who holds the Spear
நாலு கவித் தியாகா - One who gives knowledge of all four types of poetry
சுரலோக சிகாமணியே - Gem found in the world of Devas (Elevated beings)

Short Meaning
Oh Lord who holds the Spear, Most Precious Gem of Higher worlds, You taught me the eternal Truth thus preventing my death and hence prevent wailing of my relatives over my dead body

Gloss
In this gloss of this verse, let us try to know more about the differences between Vedanta and Siddhanta. 

One of the core differences between the Vedantic path and Sidhanta is the emphasis on bodies. While the vedic saints talk of body as just a by-product of Karma and just as an instrument for realization, Sidhanta extolls our body. 


Thirumoolar (author of Thirumantiram) says that He first thought the body was a useless thing. But He then saw that it was the temple to the Lord (Shiva) inside. Realizing this, he started taking care of his body.
Sharira: (or) Shariram (in Tamil) means body. We have three kinds of bodies: 

1. Sthoola Shariram - Physical Body This consists of Annamaya (Food) kosham and Pranamaya (Breath) kosham. Annamaya Kosham literally means that which is made up of food. This is the gross body we can touch. Pranamaya Kosham is made up of Prana. Prana is usually misconstrued as air. Air is likened to horse and Prana the rider. We can liken Pranamaya Kosha to be a subtler body pervading the gross body (like oxygen being present all over the body, carried by blood). This body can be subject to physical force. This is the body that experiences various effects in this world of Maya. 

2. Sukshma Shariram - Subtle Body This consists of Manonmaya (mind) and Vignaanamaya (knowledge) koshas. This body is subjected to mental stimuli. Thoughts, contemplation etc. This is the body that comes independent in the dreams. This is also the body, with limited identification  that exists for sometime after death. 

3. Kaarana Shariram - Causal Body. This is the individual soul. This is the eternal witness. This causal body is same across the births. It is the registry of every thought / every action done. This is the one which makes sure that the individual soul experiences all the results of its Karmas. This is storehouse of infinite good karmas and bad karmas. Only knowledge of Self can destroy this storehouse. Else, even a million births will have no effect on this causal body. 

There are three more that we dont have currently. Mahavatar Babaji is one of the rarest who has evolved to the final stages - (Deham and Shariram mean the same)

4. Suddha / Oli Deham - Once we reach nirvikalpa samadhi and go backwards to surrender even our physical body, then we develop a 'Suddha' deham - Pure or Light Body. In this case, the body has become pure and will not even cast a shadow. 

5. Pranava Deham - Once we complete evolving into Oli deham and continue our Sadhana :-), we can realize Pranava Deham - (Pranava is OM). The person will start becoming younger and will finally appear as a person with an age of 16 - 25. The whole body will start emanating glow. 

6. Gnaana Deham - Pure Knowledge - When we finally evolve into Pranava deham and we proceed further with Sadhana, then the Gnaana deham will develop. This is he final 'Shiva' state. The last three metamorphosis are EXTREMELY difficult or downright impossible. 

Sri Arutperunjothi Vallalar (Ramalinga Swami) reached this state #6 recently (as early as 1878) - He used to cover himself completely with a white cloth since His body never used to cast a shadow (completely transformed into light). One day He merged into light (entered final stage #6)

In this verse Sri Arunagiri focusses on achieving immortality in body as well. Lord Murugan, who as Sri Subrahmanya Swami teaches Vedanta, is also Guru of Siddhanta and offers Siddars their prayers as well.

In this verse, Sri Arunagiri says with blessings of Lord Murugan, he achieved immortality - So, his relatives will never need to wail around his dead body, ever. He also says, that this immortality was achieved by receiving the Highest Truth from Lord Subrahmanya. 

In this verse he calls out to the Lord again as one with Spear. 

Spear is symbolism of Jnana (Ultimate Knowledge). So, in this form, the Lord grants eternal truth and hence immortality to Sri Arunagiri

He also prays to the Lord in the form of idol in temple of Nagachalam (Thiruchengodu Hill)

[Nagachala Velava - Lord who wields spear as worshipped in Thirchengodu Hills]

Sri Arunagiri also says the Lord apart from blessings of the spiritual wealth, also blesses with material benefits like ability to compose four different types of advanced poetry: (classification in Tamil language)

1. Aasu Kavi - To compose a poem instantaneously on any subject given

2. Madhura Kavi - To compose a poem in a way that is pleasing to hear

3. Chitthira Kavi - To compose a poem that aids visualization

4. Vitthara Kavi - To compose with great detail

In the end, Sri Arunagiri also addresses the lord as சுரலோக சிகாமணியே - Sura Loka Sigamaniye! Suras are Devas, beings of light. Their enemies being A-Suras (opposite of Suras). The world of Devas is Devaloka, also referred to as SuraLoka (Deva = Sura)

In Tamil, it is usual to call someone dear as mani (precious gem). In this verse, due to His extreme love for Lord, Sri Arunagiri address Him the most precious gem of entire higher worlds.

It is interesting that in previous verse Sri Arunagiri asks for protection from death and seeks immortality. But in this verse, he thanks Lord for making Him immortal. 

We can see such progression in state throughout this magnum opus. 

By worshipping Lord Murugan, we can get immortality in all dimensions.