Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #51 - Grace me as My Guru and Liberate me! (uruvai aruvai)

 

உருவாய் அருவாய், உளதாய் இலதாய் 

மருவாய் மலராய், மணியாய் ஒளியாய்க் 

கருவாய் உயிராய்க், கதியாய் விதியாய்க் 

குருவாய் வருவாய், அருள்வாய் குகனே (51)

uruvai aruvai ulathai ilathai

maruvai malarai maniyai oliyai

karuvai uyirai kathiyai vithiyai

guruvai varuvai arulvai guhane! (51)

உருவாய் அருவாய் - With Form and as Formless

உளதாய் இலதாய் - As that which exists and that doesn't

மருவாய் மலராய் - As fragrance and the flower

மணியாய் ஒளியாய்க்  - As precious stones and the light shining through

கருவாய் உயிராய்க் - As they embryo and life inside

கதியாய் விதியாய்க்  - As the destination and the Path

குருவாய் வருவாய் - Come as My Guru

அருள்வாய் குகனே - And Grace me, Oh Guha! 

Short Meaning

Oh Lord Subrahmanya, you are the Form and the Formless, One with existence and non-existent, are the Fragrance and the Flower which is its source, the precious gems and the light shining through them, the embryo/seed and the life inside, and you are the path and the destination - Please come as my Guru and Grace me, Oh Guha!

Gloss

I have waxed eloquent about beauty of some of the verses before - But, Sri Arunagirinathar saved the best for the last - If entire Anubhooti cannot be memorized or chanted, it is sufficient to chant just this verse, or even if this verse is hard, just the last line (குருவாய் வருவாய், அருள்வாய் குகனே) can be chanted for liberation. 

A quote goes, "God defined is God defiled" - God cannot be captured by mind, hence the words - The world of names and forms (nama rupa jagat) exists only in the mind. Our state of existence is beyond mind. Mind can never comprehend the Self or the Divine. Hence it is impossible to write about or verbalize divinity. 

In this verse, the author points to the Divine Lord as a pair of contradictions and also as pair of complementing principles / things.

1. With Form and Without (உருவாய் அருவாய் ) - If the world of forms and names, is not an expression of divinity, what else is? Every form beautiful or mundane or downright repulsive cannot but be the form of the Lord. 

One difference though - When this world of forms is made up of objects and sensory stuff that's made up of five elements (space, air, fire, water and land), when God takes up Form, it is beyond these five elements. 

At the same time, God cannot be captured in just the forms. He is the formless Brahman behind this forms. We cannot restrict God to the world of forms alone. 

There are religions which claim God has a specific form only or the other extreme as God cannot have forms. This verse explains that all forms and the formless behind these forms are both Divine

2. As existing and non-existent (உளதாய் இலதாய்) - The scriptures emphatically state the Omnipresence of God. God alone is truth. Sri Sankara says 'Brahmaiva Satyam' - God alone is Absolute Truth. 'Jagan Mithya' - The world has only relatively reality. So, here Sri Arunagirinathar emphatically asserts Lord Murugan is the only existent truth. However, this existence is beyond any senses and cannot be perceived. Hence can be considered non-existent too. 

3. As fragrance and the flower from which it emanates (மருவாய் மலராய்) - Just as a fragrance pervades space, Brahman also pervades everywhere. Seeming nothingness of huge void of space is also pervaded by Brahman - Sarvam Kalu idam Brahma says Vedas. Everything here is pervaded by Brahman.

Sarvam Vishnu-mayam Jagat - Everything in this Universe is pervaded by Lord Vishnu says scriptures

There is no place divinity is not present. The source of this divinity (fragrance) is Lord Murugan (flower)

4. As precious stones and the light that shines through (மணியாய் ஒளியாய்க் ) - In India, people address people dear to them as a 'gem', precious stone! Since Lord Murugan is so dear to Arunagirinathar, he addresses Murugan as resplendent gem! But, a gem's glory is evident only when light shines through it. But, Lord Murgan's glory is self evident (swaraad) and does not need any external support for Him to shine - So, Murugan is also the light that shines through the resplendent gem!

5. As the seed / embryo and the life within (கருவாய் உயிராய்க் ) - Lord is the Seed from where the entire creation sprang forth - All the perceived and non-perceivable part of Universe are sourced from Him. We as humans can perceive only a minute fraction of this Universe. The Universe is enormous (mahat). But all this creation can be traced back to the Seed which is the Lord. 

When Lord said 'eko'ham bahusyam' - Let the One Me, become Many, the mere will of the Lord produced the primal sound (nada) which is known as Pranavam / Om. This will manifested matter that was initially like a point (bindu). This point split (act of splitting is called kala) into two - This is identified as Shiva / Shakti. When Arunagirinathar sings, 'nada vindu kala - adi namo nama', he sings about Murugan as the primal divinity that existed before all creation existed (before the sound, point, separation / explosion)

I have to agree that this sounds a lot like the modern Big Bang theory.

6. As the Destination and the Path leading to it (கதியாய் விதியாய்க்) - Lord is the final destination, whether we agree to it or not. He is the source and the destination. 

Vishnu Sahasranamam says:

Yatha Sarvani Bhoothani Bhavanthyadhi Yugagame
Yasmimscha Pralayam Yanthi Punareva Yugakshaye

From where all living beings appear in the beginning of the Yuga

Unto where they all recede (again) in the end of the Yugas during Pralayam (dissolution of Universe)

The Path from the Source to Destination is also Lord Murugan! 

In the verse above only the un-enlightened beings are subject to repeated births and deaths - Even after Maha Pralaya (great dissolution) where even Gods are resolved, when the next creation starts, new Forms are created. However, an enlightened being, is cut from this cycle and is not affected since He/She has united with Lord Murugan

Come as my Guru (குருவாய் வருவாய் ) - Without a Guru, liberation is impossible. This Guru can come in the form of a Human, or the Lord himself or any other form - For e.g., Guru came in the form of Sri Arunachala Hill for Bhagawan Sri Ramana Maharshi.

Irrespective of the Form, Guru is absolutely required for liberation. 

Lord Subrahmanya, as Swaminathan is the Greatest of all Gurus. He took the role as the Guru of Lord Shiva (Siva Guru) - So, Sri Arunagiri pleads the Lord Subrahmanya to take His final form as that of Guru. Once Guru instructs the Great Teaching (Maha Upadesha), the distinction between Guru and Disciple dissolves, and the Disciple becomes One with the Guru, in this case Lord Skanda and achieves "Kandhar Anubhuti" - So, this form of Guru is the final perceivable form for the soul - After this, this Universe is dissolved and the soul is irrevocably merged with the Lord - There is no differentiation left of the soul. The Son becomes the Father. 

Sri Dakshinamurthi is considered the Guru of Gurus and is non different from Lord Subrahmanya

Grace me, Oh Guha, The Secret One (அருள்வாய் குகனே ) - Once the Guru appears, and utters the Maha Vakya (the great sentence) - Tatwamasi / aham brahmasmi etc, due to an act of Grace, the disciple achieves Self Realization. Without Grace of Guru, this cannot happen. 

So, Sri Arunagiri asks Lord Murugan, not only to come as Guru, but offer Grace (anugraha / arul) - He interestingly calls Murugan as Guha in this verse. Guha is derived from Sanskrit word Guhya (secret)

Lord Murugan, in the form of Guha is the Secret Form of the lord. The greatest of mysteries is that the Lord whom the disciple searches is the seeker himself. This is the Secret. There is nothing to be sought, nothing to be achieved. Once the seeker turns inward (into the cave of the heart), with Grace of God and Guru, he realizes the self. 

This is the greatest secret. The secret is Lord Subrahmanya, the supreme Lord. 

May the Lord take all of us, in various stages of evolution in a gentle way like a mother would towards Herself. May the Lord keep us in the path and take us to him without letting us go astray. 

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

Shri Subrahmanya Swamine Nama:

Om Muruga Sharanam! 

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #50 - Please don't let me fall down again! (mathi kettu)

 

மதிகெட்டு அறவாடி, மயங்கி, அறக் 

கதிகெட்டு, அவமே கெடவோ கடவேன்? 

நதி புத்திர, ஞான சுகாதிப, அத் 

திதி புத்திரர் வீறு அடு சேவகனே (50)

mathi kettu aravadi mayangi ara

kathi kettu avame kedavo kadaven?

nadhi puththira jnana sugathipa ath

thithi puthirar veeru adu sevagane (50)

மதிகெட்டு அறவாடி - With intellect corrupted

மயங்கி - deluded

அறக் கதிகெட்டு - missing the righteous path

அவமே கெடவோ கடவேன்? Will I be destined to be destroyed?

நதி புத்திர - Son of Ganga!

ஞான சுகாதிப,  - Lord of Knowledge 

அத் திதி புத்திரர்  - Sons of Athithi (Asuras)

வீறு அடு சேவகனே - Destroyer of their Strength

Short Meaning

Will I stray away from the righteous path and destined to be destroyed due to my spoilt intellect? Oh Lord Muruga, son of Ganges! Lord of Knowledge! One who destroyed the strength of Asuras, the sons of Aditi!

Gloss

In this verse, Sri Arunagirinathar, fears that he may get deluded (மயங்கி) due to a corrupted intellect (மதிகெட்டு அறவாடி) and miss the righteous path that will lead him to the path of Union with Lord Murugan. 

He asks am I destined to be destroyed? (அவமே கெடவோ கடவேன்?)

This is actually also the Grace of Guru, Sri Arunagiri. He clearly knows that he is in the grasp of Lord Murugan and already got Anubhuti - Out of pure Grace, he writes this for the devotees who are yet to cross the ocean of birth and death.

People may sing / read this verse thousands of time without realizing the associated anguish expressed by the author. But, one day, when the time is ripe, the soul will truly cry out instead of just verbalizing this.

There is a similar incident with the greatest Acharya of recent times, Sri Chandrashekara Bharati of Shringeri Mutt. 

Once He was doing Lalitha Sahasranama Archana (offering flowers chanting 1000 names of Sri Lalitha Maha Tripura Sundari) 

>> janma mrityu jara tapta jana vishranti dayini.

This verse describes the 851st name of Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam - "She who offers rest to the souls who are pained due to repeated cycles of birth-death-old age"

When Acharya took the flower in His hand to offer after chanting this name, He apparently held the flower up in His hand for 40 mins with tears continuously flowing from His eyes. Though Acharya was a liberated soul, He must have felt the weight of His previous births and How Mother gave Him Mukti and liberated Him. Million Prostrations to the Acharya who was walking divinity (no amount of words can share my personal respect (for the lack of my vocabulary) for Acharya Sri Chandrashekara Bharati

In this verse, Sri Arunagirinathar, displays his apprehension of missing the right path and falling off his Union with Murugan

In Verse 46, Sri Arunagiri addresses Murugan as Son of Uma (umaiyal maintha) - In this Verse, Sri Arunagiri calls Murugan as Son of River (Ganges) (நதி புத்திர )

When Shiva emitted 6 fire balls from His third eye, they could not be put anywhere on earth or the the earth would be burnt completely. So, Agni (Lord of Fire) takes the 6 balls and lands them on Mother Ganges who flows from the Head of Lord Shiva. Mother Ganges in her infinite kindness was able to hold the 6 fire balls which developed into 6 babies, which were nursed by 6 kritika ladies (Krittika / Karthikai stars). And, Mother Parvati (Uma) hugged all of them at once and they became one Shanmukha! (One body, 6 faces)

Since Mother Ganges received all the six fireballs and evolved them into six babies, Mother Ganges is also considered mother of Sri Subrahmanya

Another interesting way how Sri Arunagiri addresses Lord Murugan here is Jnana Sukadhipa (ஞான சுகாதிப)! He addresses Murugan as Lord of Knowledge and Bliss. Bliss is the consequence of Knowledge (Jnana) - This is beautifully called out in the last verse of Sri Arunachala Pancharatnam by Bhagawan Sri Ramana Maharshi

arunāchala tvayi sukhē magnah

Hey Arunachala! They reside in you, immersed in Bliss! (note the use of the word Sukha: in Sanskrit same as Suka in Tamil in this verse)

Finally, Sri Arunagiri addresses the Lord as "அத் திதி புத்திரர் வீறு அடு சேவகனே" - Asuras and Devas were born from same father (Kashyapa), but different Mothers. Asuras were born for Diti and Devas for Aditi. In this verse, Sri Arunagiri calls out that Lord Murugan, to protect Devas, fought with Asuras and completely destroyed their strength. 

Similarly, Sri Arunagirinathar, seeks Lord's help to fight his base tendencies to keep him in the path to Self Realization

PS:

Image from https://in.pinterest.com/pin/574631233685659365/

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #49 - Experience of Divine Union with you is beyond words!

 

தன்னந் தனி நின்றது, தான் அறிய 

இன்னம் ஒருவர்க்கு இசைவிப் பதுவோ? 

மின்னும் கதிர் வேல் விகிர்தா, நினைவார் 

கின்னம் களையும் க்ருபை சூழ் சுடரே (49)

thannan thani nindrathu thaan ariya

innam oruvarkku isaivippathuvo?

minnum kathir vel vigirtha ninaivar

kinnam kalayum kirubai soozh sudare (49)

தன்னந் தனி நின்றது - To stand without any identification 

தான் அறிய - stood

இன்னம் ஒருவர்க்கு - To another 

இசைவிப் பதுவோ? - How can I describe?

மின்னும் கதிர் வேல் - Shining Spear of Radiant Light

விகிர்தா - Of Numerous Forms

நினைவார் - Those who Meditate 

கின்னம் களையும் - Problems removed

க்ருபை சூழ் சுடரே  - Light of Grace!

Short Meaning

Oh Light of Grace! You remove the problems of those pious souls who meditate on You, the One with Radiant Spear and of Many Forms. How can I share this experience of mine to stand without any bonds / identification with this world, with others?

Gloss

This is a very profound verse, and a theme that repeats especially in the verses towards the end of this work.

When Lord Subrahmanya cut bonds of worldly attachment (of things and people) for Sri Arunagiri Nathar, He Graced the supreme state of Anubhuti to him. 

Sri Arunagiri calls the state of supreme detachment as the act of standing alone (தன்னந் தனி நின்றது) - In this State, He realized Lord Murugan in the divine Union (Anubhuti) (தான் அறிய )

He wants to share his joy and explain his state to others - But this state is beyond mind and hence cannot be shared in words - So he says, how can I state(இசைவிப் பதுவோ) this to others (இன்னம் ஒருவர்க்கு)?

He calls out to Lord Murugan as One who wields the shining (மின்னும்) spear of light(கதிர் வேல்)! Again, you might see that this is a consistent theme - When knowledge which dispels ignorance is referred, Sri Arunagiri describes the instrument that enables is as the Spear of Light

Interestingly, he also calls Murugan as one with Numerous forms (விகிர்தா) - In fact, all Forms are His!

He also calls Murugan as the Light of Grace(க்ருபை சூழ் சுடரே), which removes the problems (கின்னம் களையும்) of those who meditate on Him. 

Bhagawan Sri Ramana Maharshi calls Lord Shiva as Ocean of Grace (kirubai kadale!) - Here, Sri Arunagirinathar calls Lord as Light of Grace. 

PS:

Image from https://www.facebook.com/Vallalarprayergroup/

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #48 - You Stood Undifferentiated!

 அறிவு ஒன்று அற நின்று, அறிவார் அறிவில் 

பிறிவு ஒன்று அற நின்ற, பிரான் அலையோ? 

செறிவு ஒன்று அற வந்து, இருளே சிதைய 

வெறி வென்றவரோடு உறும் வேலவனே (48)

arivu ondru ara nindru arivar arivil

pirivu ondru ara nindra piran alaiyo?

serivu ondru ara vanthu irule sithaiya

veri vendravarodu urum velavane (48)

அறிவு ஒன்று அற நின்று - To be without any Identification (ahamkara:)

அறிவார் அறிவில் - In their intellect

பிறிவு ஒன்று அற - Undifferentiated 

நின்ற - You stood

பிரான் - The Lord

அலையோ? Is it not?

செறிவு ஒன்று அற வந்து, - Without any identification with the world 

இருளே சிதைய - Darkness Destroyed

வெறி வென்றவரோடு  - One who overcame delusion

உறும் வேலவனே - You unite, Oh Lord of Spear

Short Meaning

Oh Lord Muruga! You stand undifferentiated in the beings of those who lost their identification with their physical self. For those who give up their worldly connections, you Unite in the core of their Being.

Gloss

There are times, as a novice in spiritual domain and definitely in languages Tamil, when I am awestruck, dumbfound and speechless. It happens many times when I read deeply spiritual texts. 

Especially, this verse makes me feel if I am not doing justice to the translation or gloss. Tamil and Bhakti of Sri Arunagirinathar are the winners here. Folks who may not know Tamil, and following my English translations may feel this is an exaggeration (just try reading the script in English (above).

Here Sri Arunagirinathar says, Lord Murugan stands undifferentiated in the Intellect of Saints who have completely destroyed their sense of self (ahamkara:)

These learned folks do not identify themselves with any bonds in this world, and have overcome the major delusion of they are their bodies / minds etc. In their Beings, Lord Subrahmanya shines as their Self

Sri Adi Sankara Bhagawat Pada  says,

Brahma Satyam - Brahman alone is the Supreme Truth

Jagan Mithya - The perceived Universe is not the absolute reality

Jeevo Brahmaiva Na Para: - The Self and the Supreme Brahman are not different

In its Highest Form, Adwaita propounds that God alone exists. And, nothing else Exists. (ekam eva adwitiyam - There is only one non-differentiated)

If God alone exists, am 'I' real? Why does the world that I experience appear real? I am able to read this blog in a computer / phone. I am able to feel my car, the chair, my things etc.

To explain this, Adwaita introduces a concept of Mitya - This is probably the most misunderstood word. Mitya means 'not absolutely real'

Vedanta says, we experience 3 different states - Waking, Dreaming and Deep Sleep states. That which is absolutely True should be True in all three states.

You go to sleep with a water bottle next to you. In the dream you feel thirsty. But, the water bottle next to you is useless. Only dream water can quench your thirst in dream. The water bottle next to your bed has reality only in waking state.

Suppose you cut your hand in the dream. You apply dream medicine. When you wake up, there is no cut in your body. Though it seemed real in dream, the cut in your hand is real only in your dream. The medicine you bought in the dream is not useful in waking state.

In the deep sleep state, there is no mind and hence no perception of space or time. (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and Mandukya Upanishad has some mind-blowing information in this space)

Since the world in waking state is real only in waking (since it cannot be accessed in dreams) and vice versa, we can conclude that these experiences are not *absolutely* real - They are real only within their reference states (and hence called Mitya)

Also, when we wake up, we say 'Oh I slept very well, like a log (or a dog :D )' - Which means there was a perceiving consciousness even in Deep Sleep state

If you carefully went over the above text above, you'll realise that the only thing that is 'real' or 'constant' in all three states is the feeling 'I' - Even your favourite God / Goddess can be experienced only in the first two states (waking / dreaming). In deep sleep state, they cannot be experienced.

So, the only truth is I and this I is not different the Supreme self

This is a profound verse - Lord Subrahmanya is non-different from the Self that shines in the heart of all beings

It is impossible to reach Subrahmanya as long as bonds with this world exists

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #47 - When will you Grant me the divine Union?

 

ஆறு ஆறையும் நீத்து அதன் மேல் நிலையைப் 

பேறா அடியேன், பெறுமாறு உளதோ? 

சீறாவரு சூர் சிதைவித்து, இமையோர் 

கூறா உலகம் குளிர்வித்தவனே (47)

aaru aarayum neeththu adhan mel nilaiyai

pera adiyen perumaru ulatho?

seeravaru soor sithaivithu imaiyor

koora ulagam kulirviththavane! (47)

ஆறு ஆறையும் -6 x 6 (= 36)

நீத்து - transcend

அதன் மேல் நிலையைப் - Reach higher stage

பேறா அடியேன் - My Self

 பெறுமாறு உளதோ - Will I achieve?

சீறாவரு சூர் - Angry Surapadman

சிதைவித்து - Destroyed

இமையோர் - Devas

கூறா - Sad

உலகம் - world

குளிர்வித்தவனே - delighted

Short Meaning

Oh Lord Subrahmanya! You destroyed the Asura Surapadman who was furious with you and gladdened the hearts of Devas who were sad due to his atrocities! When will I transcend the 36 tatwas (states/elements) and be united with you as the highest enlightenment?

Gloss

Scriptures describe 36 (ஆறு ஆறையும்) tatwas the Universe is made of. However, Lord Subrahmanya transcends all and is Supreme! 

Sri Arunagiri Nathar says, when will he be able to transcend (அதன் மேல் நிலையைப்) these 36 elements and states and unite with Lord Subrahmanya? (அடியேன், பெறுமாறு உளதோ?)

While there are achievements in spiritual domain which can be distracting, Self Enlightenment, meaning, to unite with Lord Murugan is the highest achievement - Sri Arunagiri asks the Lord, 'When will I reach this highest state?'

He then address Lord as the Warrior who destroyed (சிதைவித்து) the Angry Surapadman (சீறாவரு சூர் ) and delighted (குளிர்வித்தவனே) the world of Devas (இமையோர் கூறா உலகம்)

The Devas were put through enormous difficulty by Surapadman. So, when he was destroyed by Murugan, the entire world of Devas rejoiced! 

So, Sri Arunagiri, discreetly asks, when He would rejoice in the Union of the Lord! 

PS:- Images from:

https://www.templefolks.com/temple-pedia/vaikasi-visakam-story.html

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #46 - You are my Mother and Father - Remove my Travails!

 

எம் தாயும் எனக்கு அருள் தந்தையும் நீ 

சிந்தாகுலம் ஆனவை தீர்த்து எனையாள் 

கந்தா, கதிர் வேலவனே, உமையாள் 

மைந்தா, குமரா, மறை நாயகனே (46)

en thaayum enakku arul thanthaiyum nee

chinthakulam aanavai theerthu enai aal

kanda! kathirvelavane! umaiyal

maintha! kumara! marai naayagane! (46)

எம் தாயும் - My Mother

எனக்கு அருள் தந்தையும் - My Graceful Father

நீ  - You are! 

சிந்தாகுலம் ஆனவை - The travails of my mind

தீர்த்து - resolve

எனையாள்  - Take over me!

கந்தா - Lord Skanda!

கதிர் வேலவனே - One who wields the Spear of Radiant Light

உமையாள் மைந்தா - Son of the peerless Uma!

குமரா - Eternal Youth

மறை நாயகனே - The Lord of Vedas

Short Meaning

Oh Lord Skanda, who wields the Spear of Radiant Light, dear son of Mother Uma, Eternal Youth and Hero of Vedas - You are my Mother and also the Graceful Father! Please resolve the problems of my mind and take over me!

Gloss

In this, Sri Arunagiri, realizes that Lord Skanda is both the eternal Mother and Father of us. 

In Vishnu Sahasranamam, Lord Vishnu is called, 'Bhootaanaam yo avayaya: pita:' - Eternal Father of All Beings - It is important to note the nature of Eternal Father - In each birth a soul might have different father and mothers (may not even be human births) - But, irrespective, The Lord Murugan is both the Mother and Father of every living being.

So, Sri Arunagiri takes the approach of a divine child of divine parents and takes the path of surrender to Lord Murugan. He says "Lord Skanda! You are both my Father and Mother' (எம் தாயும் எனக்கு அருள் தந்தையும் நீ )

In Thiruvasagam, Sri Manickavasagar in a heart melting way calls Lord Shiva the same - "Ammaiye Appa! Oppila Maniye! " - "You are my mother and father, you are my precious gem which has no par" - Sometimes English lets me down (or my command of the language) - I have no way to bring the love, mixed emotions of seeking, sadness, praise and pride Manickavasagar brings in, in these four words. Blessed are the Tamil folks who can enjoy this in its real form. Tamil is language of Gods, with its Origin from Lord Shiva Himself. Lord Murugan is called the Lord of Tamil. No wonder, this language brings out the best in the worship of Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan

He then asks Lord Murugan to solve (தீர்த்து) painful problems of his mind (சிந்தாகுலம்) - Bhagwan Sri Ramana Maharshi emphatically states Mind is Maya and overcoming the mind is the way to realize Self. (not the final step, but necessary step). Here, Sri Arunagiri comes up with the same request. He then asks Lord Murugan to take over him! (எனையாள்)

He then with love, calls out to the Lord as 

1. Lord Skanda (one who reduces strength of His enemies) (கந்தா)

2. Wielder of Spear made of Radiant Light (கதிர் வேலவனே) - The symbolism of light is important here. Ignorance is typically compared to Darkness. The upanishadic prayer is:

asato ma sad gamaya (Lead me from Falsness to Truth)

tamaso ma jyotir gamaya (Lead me from Darkness to Light)

mrutyor ma amrtam gamaya (Lead me from Death to Immortality)

The darkness of ignorance can be removed only by the light - Lord Murugan carries a spear made of radiant light that can dispell darkness of eons and take the devotee to Self Realization

3. Son of Mother Uma - Mother Uma's love for Lord Murugan is infinite - She condensed all Her Universal power into the Radiant Spear which Lord Murugan carries with Him. So, Sri Arunagiri calls out Murugan as dear son of Mother Parvati (Uma)

4. Kumara (குமரா)- Eternal Youth! (More discussed in previous verse)

5. Lord Of Vedas (மறை நாயகனே)

Vedas are the means and not the end - The learned say that the purpose and end of Vedas is to reach Lord Subrahmanya - Hence Sri Arunagiri calls Murugan as the Hero / Lord or the Objective that is revealed by the Vedas (They can only point in the direction, but never describe Him fully)

ThiruGnana Sambadhar says 'வேதம் நான்கினும் மெய்ப்பொரு ளாவது நாதன் நாமம் நமச்சி வாயவே' - In all four Vedas, the essence and Truth when extracted will be Lord's Name - nama: shivaya!

PS: Images from

http://palani.org/taippucam2013.htm

http://aqwwiki.wikidot.com/bright-spear-of-light

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #45 - Lord, you give me the Knowledge, directly!

 

கரவாகிய கல்வி உளார் கடை சென்று 

இரவா வகை மெய்ப் பொருள் ஈகுவையோ? 

குரவா, குமரா, குலிசாயுத, குஞ் 

சரவா, சிவயோக தயாபரனே (45)

karavagiya kalvi ular kadai sendru

irava vagai meipporul eeguvaiyo?

kurava kumara kulisayutha kun

jarava sivayoga dayabarane! (45)

கரவாகிய கல்வி உளார்  - Learned folks who don't want to share

கடை சென்று - to go to them

இரவா வகை - and request

மெய்ப் பொருள் - The ultimate truth

ஈகுவையோ - Will you give me?

குரவா - The True Guru

குமரா - Eternal youth

குலிசாயுத - One who wields the Vajrayutha

குஞ்சரவா - Consort of Mother Deivayanai

சிவயோக தயாபரனே - The benevolent One who grants the ultimate knowledge of Union with Shiva (Shiva Yoga)

Short Meaning

Oh Lord, I do not wish to seek the Supreme Knowledge of Self from those learned folks who hide this from others. Why don't you, The Supreme Lord, the Perfect Guru, The Eternal Youth, The consort of Mother Deivayanai give me the knowledge of Shiva Yoga that will liberate me?

Gloss

Sri Arunagirinathar, here seems to be upset with folks who hoard the knowledge of the Self. It is the folks who haven't realized their Self, but full with bookish knowledge who try to hoard knowledge and not share. 

So, he implores Lord Muruga to avoid a situation (கடை சென்று இரவா வகை) where he asks for this knowledge from selfish learned folks (கரவாகிய கல்வி உளார் )

He then asks 'Will you not give me the Knowledge yourself?' (மெய்ப் பொருள் ஈகுவையோ)

He then extolls Lord Murugan as :

1. The Greatest of Gurus (குரவா)

2. The eternal youth, Kumara! (குமரா) - Time has no effect on the Lord. Sri Vishnu Sahasaranamam says Lord is Bhootha - Bhavya - Bhavath - Prabhu: (The Lord of Past Present and future)

Time is nothing but a minute dimension for the Lord. He controls time, and not otherwise. So, Lord appears always as an eternal youth, untouched by time

3. Lord also wields the Vajrayutham (The one also wielded by Indra) - This was given to Lord Murugan during the marriage of Deivayanai 

4. Consort of Mother Deivayanai (குஞ்சரவா) - Deivayanai was raised playing with Airavatha, the elephant of Indra. This word could mean One who was raised by Elephant

5. The benevolent One who grants the ultimate knowledge of Union with Shiva (Shiva Yoga) (சிவயோக தயாபரனே )

The Greatest knowledge of the Self is called Shiva Yoga and Lord Murugan is the One who grants us the same.

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #44 - Glorious Feet of Lord Murugan Graced my Head!

சாடும் தனிவேல் முருகன் சரணம் 

சூடும் படி தந்தது சொல்லு மதோ? 

வீடும், சுரர் மாமுடி, வேதமும், வெம் 

காடும், புனமும் கமழும் கழலே (44)

saadum thanivel murugan sharanam

soodum padi thanthathu sollumatho!

Veedum surar maamudi vedamaum vem

kaadum punamum kamazhum kazhale (44)

சாடும் - Destroying (Evil and Ignorance)

தனிவேல் முருகன்  - Lord Muruga who holds the Spear 

சரணம் - His Feet

சூடும் படி தந்தது - To adorn

சொல்லு மதோ? - How can I describe?

வீடும் - Places of Liberation

சுரர் மாமுடி - Head of Great Devas

வேதமும் - Vedas

வெம் காடும், புனமும் கமழும் - In the hot, humid and fragrant forests (where Mother Valli lived)

கழலே - Head

Short Meaning

Lord Murugan is the destroyer of all evil and ignorance, and He holds the peerless Spear of Knowledge. His feet is adorned by the place / act of Liberation (Mukti), Head of Great Devas, Vedas and in the Hot, humid and fragrant forests where Mother Valli used to reside. For Lord to give His feet to adorn my Head and liberate me, How can I describe that experience?

Gloss

In Shaiva Siddhanta, the Feet of the Lord represents Grace - In the Iconic form of Lord Shiva as Sri Nataraja, His raised left leg (kunchita vama padam) is representation of Grace. 

A soul, over many many births figures out that it ends up in pain irrespective of the goal it pursues. So, after millions of births, the soul is tired and cries out to God to help out. This is when the soul is ready to receive Grace. Without the soul being 'ready', the Grace cannot flow. This desperation is immense and is equated to a person sinking in water. After the last stroke possible, with a desperate cry, the soul ceases effort. At this point, Grace descends. Even when an iota of effort exists, Grace cannot descend. 

This Grace is indicated by Lord Shiva bestowing the ultimate knowledge of the Self, by keeping His feet on the head of His devotee. 

This is an often used symbol across Shaiva Siddhanta. 

Sri Arunagirinathar in this verse, describes his Self Realization as the Lord Subrahmanya's feet being kept on his head. It is important to note that Lord Shiva and Lord Subrahmanya are identical and Lord Murugan's feet liberate just as Lord Shiva's! Sometimes, as Lord Murugan is Guru of Lord Shiva Himself, (Swaminathan!) Sri Arunagiri may feel that it is even better to be liberated by Lord Murugan's Feet, which is personification of Grace

The experience of Grace or this experience of Samadhi or Anubhuti / Yoga (Union) with God is not actually an experience - It is a state beyond the realms of mind, and hence cannot be communicated in words. 

So, Sri Arunagiri asks, how can I describe (சொல்லுமதோ) the act of Grace in which Lords' feet (முருகன் சரணம்) adorned (சூடும் படி தந்தது) my head? 

While describing Murugan, Sri Arunagiri calls him சாடும் தனிவேல் முருகன்  - Meaning, that Lord Murugan is the possessor of the Spear (தனிவேல்) which has the ability to destroy evil and the darkness of ignorance. 

In a very interesting way, Sri Arunagiri says mark of Lord's Feet can be found in:

1. வீடும் - Liberation

2. சுரர் மாமுடி - Head of Greatest Gods

3. வேதமும் - Vedas

4. வெம் காடும், புனமும் கமழும் - In the hot, humid and fragrant forests (where Mother Valli lived)

Sri Arunagirinathar is thrilled that Lord's Feet that adorns the above places adorned his head (கழலே) also! 

Interesting, in the peerless Saundarya Lahari of Sri Sankara, it is described that the Greats of Gods keep their head at the feet of Mother Lalitha Maha Tripura Sundari. And whenever a flower is offered at Her feet, they roll and fall on one of the God's Heads, and they are thrilled that the flower that fell on Mother's feet now fell on their head! 

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #43 - Once Desires are Lost, Union with Lord is Achieved

 

தூசா மணியும் துகிலும் புனைவாள் 

நேசா முருகா நினது அன்பு அருளால் 

ஆசா நிகளம் துகளாயின பின் 

பேசா அநுபூதி பிறந்ததுவே (43)

thoosa maniyum thugilum punaival

nesa muruga ninathu Anbu arulal

aasa nigalam thugalayina pin

pesa anubhuti piranthathuve! (43)

தூசா மணியும் - Defect free precious stones (and)

துகிலும்  - dress

புனைவாள் - wearing (Mother Valli)

நேசா - Lover

முருகா - Oh Lord Muruga! 

நினது அன்பு அருளால் - With your Love and Grace

ஆசா நிகளம்  - Bondage that is Desires

துகளாயின பின் - after being shattered 

பேசா - Silent

அநுபூதி - (Stage of ) Union 

பிறந்ததுவே - Was born

Short Meaning

Lord Muruga! You are the lover of Mother Valli who is adorned with peerless precious stones and wonderful dress. With your Love and Grace, the bonds of desires which were binding me to this pitiable existence were shattered, and I entered the state of Silent Union with Supreme divinity which is you! 

Gloss

In this verse, Sri Arunagiri, calls out to Lord Murugan, as the Lover of Mother Valli - This description is a regular theme across this work (Kandhar Anubhuti) - Here, Sri Arunagiri calls Lord Murugan as lover (நேசா) of Mother Valli who were peerless precious stones and wonderful dress (தூசா மணியும் துகிலும் புனைவாள் )

Desires are bonds that bind individual souls to a worldly existence. By cutting these bonds a soul is liberated. This is a constant theme across Hindu philosophy

1. Bhavaranya Kutarika (Lalitha Sahasranama) - Mother Lalitha is the axe that cuts the forest of bonds

2. bandhanan muksheeya ma'mrutaat (Maha Mrutyunjaaya mantra) - By liberating me from the bonds (of desires), give me immortality!

etc. 

Lord Subrahmanya with his Love and Grace for the devotee, destroys to pieces (துகளாயின) the bonds of desire (ஆசா நிகளம் ) - Once this is done, the devotee enters (பிறந்ததுவே) into the state of silent stillness (பேசா அநுபூதி)

It is important to know that the state of silence is not restricted just to words, but all senses and mind are in perfect stillness. 

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #42 - A state beyond knowledge and ignorance

 

குறியைக் குறியாது குறித்து அறியும் 

நெறியைத் தனிவேலை நிகழ்த்திடலும் 

செறிவு அற்று, உலகோடு உரை சிந்தையும் அற்று 

அறிவு அற்று, அறியாமையும் அற்றதுவே (42)

kuriyai kuriyathu kuriththu ariyum

neriyai thani velai nigazhthidalum

serivu atrtu ulagodu urai sinthayum atru

arivu atru ariyamaiyum atrathuve (42)

குறியைக் - The objective (of Final Realization or Unification with Lord Murugan)

குறியாது குறித்து - Focus deeply ignoring external environment

அறியும் நெறியைத் - The Path that is Revealed by Knowledge

தனிவேலை - The Lord who wields the Spear

நிகழ்த்திடலும் - Revealing from inside

உலகோடு  செறிவு அற்று - Bonds with people and things of the world, removed

உரை சிந்தையும் அற்று - Ability to speak, removed

அறிவு அற்று - Objective knowledge, removed

அறியாமையும் அற்றதுவே - Ignorance removed

Short Meaning

With intense focus of acquiring the Supreme Knowledge, which causes Union with Supreme Lord Murugan, ignoring the external distractions from the world, with His Grace, The Lord who wields the Spear of Knowledge, revealed the Path to me from Inside. Once this liberating knowledge was revealed, my bonds with this world were removed, ability to communicate the experience was removed, all existing objective knowledge of the world was removed, and most importantly, my ignorance (identifying this body, world as real) was also removed

Gloss

In the last few verses, Sri Arunagirinathar focuses deeply on the knowledge that liberates!

Vedas unambiguously say Knowledge (obtained from a qualified Guru) alone liberates. Who can be a greater Guru than the Guru of Lord Shiva, Sri Swaminatha Swami?

A sadhaka, with a deep desire to be liberated, performs a penance, with deep focus (குறியாது குறித்து) on achieving the final knowledge that liberates (குறியைக்). 

Penance is necessary, but Grace is absolutely necessary. 

Bhandasura, the Asura who opposed Sri Lalita Mahatripura Sundari, Mother Goddess was made from the ashes from which Manmatha was burnt by Lord Shiva. When someone made an image of a person with this ash, this idol got life and started to wonder what to do. Lord Brahma while passing by, apparently send 'tapa: tapa:' - Do penance! do penance! - This made the inanimate idol do penance, and became the Asura entire Universe trembled at! 

The idea here is to say, impossible powers and things can happen with penance. A Yogi, with a deep desire to be liberated doesn't squander his effort (Sadhana) into powers or material things. However, He focuses on the desire to be liberated. 

When the effort is directed, and selfless, Lord Subrahmanya's Grace descends and the Supreme Knowledge which cuts all bonds and liberates, and causes Union (Yoga / Anubhuti) with Skanda is revealed. 

Sri Arunagiri very beautifully says "தனிவேலை நிகழ்த்திடலும் " - This means that the Lord who Wields the Spear reveals the knowledge from inside. 

Lalitha Sahasranama says 'Antarmukha Samaradhya; Bahirmukha Sudurlabha' - Meaning, One who is achieved by inner path, and impossible to be reached by searching outside. 

Here, Sri Arunagiri says, this knowledge of Self resides within one self and is revealed by the Lord by His Grace

Bhagawan Sri Ramana Maharshi says, 

Hurdaya Guhara Madhye [In the center of the Cave of the Heart]

Kevalam Brahma Matram [Supreme Brahman Alone]

Aham Aham iti [With the Feeling 'I', 'I']

Sakshat Atma Rupena Bhati [Shines in the Form of Self]

Bhagawan says that the Self is non different from Supreme Brahman [Interestingly, Bhagwan sometimes has revealed that He is an incarnation of Lord Subrahmanya]

Once this happens, a Yogi can no longer have a regular relationship with the world:

1. All material bonds with people and things in the world are cut

2. Ability to speak (use the mind) is cut

3. Objective knowledge of the world is removed

4. Ignorance is obliterated

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #41 - Help me Transcend Death!

சாகாது, எனையே சரணங் களிலே 

காகா, நமனார் கலகம் செயும் நாள் 

வாகா, முருகா, மயில் வாகனனே 

யோகா, சிவ ஞான உபதேசிகனே (41)

saagathu enaiye saranangalile

gaga namanar kalagam seiyum naal

vaaga muruga mayil vaaganane 

yoga siva jnana upadesigane (41)

சாகாது - Transcending death

எனையே - me

சரணங்களிலே - In your feet 

காகா - Protect 

நமனார் - Residents of Yama Loka

கலகம் செயும் - Trouble me 

நாள் - Day 

வாகா - Oh enchantingly beautiful Lord! 

முருகா - Lord Muruga! 

மயில் வாகனனே - One who rides a peacock

யோகா- The storehouse of Yogic Knowledge 

சிவ ஞான உபதேசிகனே - One who imparts the knowledge of Shiva (Shiva Jnana)

Short Meaning

Oh enchantingly beautiful Lord Muruga, One who rides a Peacock, Storehouse of Yoggic knowledgeg and the One who imparts the Supreme Knowledge of Lord Shiva! When the time comes and the natives of Yama Loka come to take me at death, please give me refuge in your feet and help me transcend death! 

Gloss

One of the Universal Upanishadic Prayers (also very famous is this):

asato ma sat gamaya - take me from falseness to truth

tamaso ma jyotir gamaya - take me from darkness to light

mrutyor ma amrutam gamaya - take me from death to immortality

Everyone fears death - There is only one way to transcend death - To realize we are the immortal soul and not the body which belongs to nature (prakriti)

The prayer to protect from Yama is even discussed in detail in Verse #10. 

The process of death is supposed to be very painful - When the soul us harshly pulled away from the body which has been the longest associated object for the soul this bith, the pain is immense. Apparently, Yama dootas (நமனார்) abuse the soul in harsh words while doing so. 

The only way to avoid this is to Unite with Lord Murugan (Yoga / Anubhuti with Lord Murugan) - Hence Sri Arunagiri calls him the Storehouse of Yogic knowledge. To gain immortality / Moksha, knowledge of Shiva / The Supreme knowledge of Self is the only way. Lord Murugan is an expert in providing this knowledge and liberating his devotees (சிவ ஞான உபதேசிகனே )

So, Sri Arunagiri calls out to seek protection (காகா) in Lord Murugan's feet (சரணங் களிலே ) on the day (நாள்)  Yama dootas come to pick him up with violence (கலகம் செயும்) -

He implores the Beautiful (வாகா) Lord Murugan (முருகா) who rides the glorious peacock (மயில் வாகனனே )

By this sincere prayer, a devotee will be be liberated and attain Union with Lord Subrahmanya!

PS - Image from - https://vedicfeed.com/10-interesting-facts-about-lord-kartikeya/

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #40 - Will I be lost in this Material Life? (vinai oda vidum)

 

வினை ஓட விடும் கதிர் வேல் மறவேன் 

மனையோடு தியங்கி மயங்கிடவோ? 

சுனையோடு, அருவித் துறையோடு, பசுந் 

தினையோடு, இதணோடு திரிந்தவனே (40)

vinai oda vidum kathir vel maraven

manaiyodu thiyangi mayangidavo? 

sunaiyodu aruvith thuraiyodu pasun

thinaiyodu ithanodu thirinthavane (40)

வினை - Karma (good and bad)

ஓட விடும் - Removing 

கதிர் வேல் - Spear of Light

மறவேன் - I will not forget 

மனையோடு தியங்கி - In the family life with the spouse

மயங்கிடவோ? - Will I be lost? 

சுனையோடு - Fresh Springs 

அருவித் துறையோடு -  River banks 

பசுந் தினையோடு இதணோடு - Fresh milllet plants 

திரிந்தவனே - One who roamed

Short Meaning

Oh Lord Subrahmanya, you roamed across river banks with fresh springs and fresh millet plants to Grace Mother Valli - I will never forget your spear of Light which dispels the darkness of Karma! Will you let me get lost in the family life (and forget my supreme goal of uniting with you)? 

Gloss

This theme of getting lost in family life and in lust is a theme that is repeated too often in Kandhar Anubhuti and I have discussed in detail in many verses earlier. So, I am not going to delve on this further. 

In this verse, Sri Arunagiri Nathar, wants to call out the nature of Lord Murugan's Spear - In this verse he addresses it as 'kathir vel' meaning a spear of light. Light destroys darkness / spear cuts through obstacles thus leading the devotee to enlightenment. 

He interesting describes Lord Murugan as one who roamed about in fresh springs, river banks with fresh millet plants behind Mother Valli

PS:- Image from https://wallpapercave.com/murugan-vel-wallpapers