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.

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #10 - Give me Immortality!

கார் மா மிசை காலன் வரில், கலபத்
தேர்மா மிசை வந்து, எதிரப் படுவாய்
தார் மார்ப, வலாரி தலாரி எனும்
சூர்மா மடியத் தொடுவே லவனே. (10)

kaar ma misai kaalan varin, kalaba
ther ma misai vanthu ethira paduvai!
thaar maarba! valaari thalaari enum
soor ma madiya thodu velavane (10)

கார் மா மிசை - Huge Black Buffalo
காலன் - Lord of Death, Yama
வரில் - if he comes
கலபத் தேர்மா மிசை - On a Peacock Chariot
வந்து - Come
எதிரப் படுவாய் - And intercept
தார் மார்ப - One with a garlanded chest
வலாரி தலாரி எனும் - Valari / Talari (name)
சூர்மா மடியத் - Asuras to die
தொடுவே லவனே - launched His Spear

Short Meaning
If Lord Yama, God of Death comes to take away my life, please intercept Him in your Peacock Chariot and protect me, Oh Lord with Garlanded chest,  who wielded the spear to kill the Asura Valari. 

Gloss
Death is a subject shrouded with mystery. Everyone wants to know about it, but do not want it :-)

Lord Yama is daily worshipped by learned Brahmanas three times a day during their Sandhyavandana Nitya Karma. Lord Yama, is called காலன் ('Kaalan') here. He is portrayed as a person riding on a huge buffalo. Yama also carries a rope called 'Pasha Kayiru' in Tamil. The rope symbolises bonding, attachment to material things and relationships which binds the soul to repeated births and hence deaths. 

Kaalam in Tamil means time. Kaalan, Lord Yama is symbolisation of time. Lord Yama is called 'Vrukodhara:' , one who is always hungry. He eats away our lives to satiate His hunger. What a beautiful analogy to say that with every second passes, we go closer and closer to death! 

Compared to other religions, Lord of Death though portrayed scary, is an embodiment of Truth and righteousness in Hinduism. He is considered the ultimate authority on Dharma, righteousness. He is called Dharma Raja (King of Dharma). He is also a Brahma Jnaani. In Kathopanishad, He teaches the Highest knowledge to Nachiketas, an ideal student. 

That said, when Yama takes away your life, it is regular death and it guarantees that there are further births (and deaths). 

Lord Arunagiri does not want to die. He wants to merge with Lord Subrahmanya and hence avoid the cycle of births and deaths. 

In Moha Mudgaram, also famously known as Bhaja Govindam,  Sri Sankara says:

Punarapi Jananam, Punarapi Maranam,

Punarapi Janani-Jatare Shayanam

Ida Samsara - Bahu Dustare

Krupaya Pare - Pahi Murare! 

Repeated Births, Repeated Deaths. And again I lie down in the womb of a mother. This repeated cycle is very painful (bahu dustare!) Please shower your Grace, and protect me Oh Lord Murari! (Lord Vishnu)

The goal of human life is to avoid further births. But, due to the delusion of believing this world we see is real, and identifying oneself with this body, a soul repeatedly creates additional karmic results. Due to this the soul has to be born again and again in some womb (not necessarily human) to experience the results of its action (karma)

The only way to avoid Death is Moksha, Liberation. This Moksha can only be obtained by merging one with the Supreme Lord, Subrahmanya (i.e, knowing the Self and Lord Subrahmanya are non-different) 

Devotees of Lord Muruga do not die a normal death. They unite with Lord Subrahmanya in Jnana. 

So, Lord Arunagiri says, if by  mistake Lord Yama comes, don't let him take away! You intercept him in your glorious peacock chariot and protect me! 

In this verse, Sri Arunagiri visualises Lord Subrahmanya as a warrior, with flower garlands decorating His chest. He wielded the Spear to vanquish an Asura Valari in a war. 

In all Vedantic texts, Acharyas plead not to identify with the body. Just like people forget that they wear spectacles or contact lenses due to their proximity, we forget that this body is just a vehicle, and our real identity, Self or Atma is no different from the Supreme Parabrahman, here appearing as Lord Subrahmanya due to His extreme Grace.

Identification with the body is the source of all problems. In Naishkarmya Siddhi, Sri Sureshwaracharya traces 7 steps to fear / sadness

1. Due to Aatma Ajnaana (Ignorance of Self / Brahman), people see a world of Dwaitam (Duality). This means they perceive this world filled with names and forms as absolute reality

2. Due to this false perception of reality, they begin to think some things are good for them and some are bad for them (Shobana-Ashobana Adhyasa:)

3. Due to this false favoritism, they develop liking (Raaga:) and hate (Dwesha:)

4. As a direct result, they do action (karma) to acquire things they like and remove things they don't like. This makes them do both prescribed (Vihita) and non-prescribed (Nishidda) Karma

5. Because of this Karma, they get Punya and Papa results. (Doing vihita karma gives punya, nishiddha karma gives papa)

6. Because of this Karmic Results, Jeevas (souls) get Bodies (not necessarily human) to enjoy/suffer the results both good and bad Karma [Good karma binds equally as Bad Karma, since it causes birth to enjoy the results. A leash is a leash even if it is made of Gold)]

7. False identification with this body, i.e., to think this body is us, causes fear (bhaya) and pain (dukkha)

This body is not what we are. This body belongs to Prakriti (nature). We have no control on it at all. Actually, every 7-8 years, we get a completely new body! (We don't have a single cell that we had when we were a kid ). But, how does the person doesn't feel he is a new person? The feeling of 'I' never changes from the time of birth. 

The body circulates blood, digests, develops illness, then heals automatically. We have no control on any of its functions. It is actually funny that we think that this body is actually what we are. It is not even ours, let alone our identity!

If we are not the body, what do we mean when we say 'I'? This is the question to ponder as instructed by Bhagawan Sri Ramana Maharshi. 

By studying Vedantic texts and acquiring Jnana is the only way to liberation. Lord Subrahmanya is the Guru of all, of even Lord Shiva is the Guru who can give us this knowledge (Jnana) - He is popularly referred as Jnana-Panditha, Ultimate Expert of Highest Knowledge.

In a few verses, Sri Arunagiri seeks the blessing of Lord Subrahmanya to help Him overcome death, by transcending body consciousness.

This is the only way to achieve Immortality