Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #39 - When can overcome the three basic desires and transcend seven types of births? (maa-aezh jananam)

 

மாஏழ் சனனம் கெட மாயைவிடா 

மூஏடணை என்று முடிந்திடுமோ 

கோவே, குறமின் கொடிதோள் புணரும் 

தேவே சிவ சங்கர தேசிகனே (39)

maa-aezh jananam keda maayai vidaa

moo-aednai endru mudinthidumo?

kove! kuramin kodi thol punarum

deve! shiva shankara desikane! (39)

மாஏழ் சனனம் - Seven types of birth

கெட - To be destroyed (and)

மாயைவிடா - To be rid of the Maya

மூஏடணை - Three desires 

என்று முடிந்திடுமோ - when will it be over?

கோவே - My King! 

குறமின் கொடிதோள் புணரும் - One who married (Valli) with Slender shoulders 

தேவே - Oh God! 

சிவ சங்கர  - Lord Shiva Shankara's

தேசிகனே - Guru

Short Meaning

Oh Lord Subrahmanya who rules over us, and one who married Valli of the hunter tribe who has slender shoulders! You are the hallowed Guru of peerless Shiva! When will I transcend the three desires which cause me to be bound in Maya and in seven types of births? 

Gloss

In verse, Sri Arunagiri brings our focus to transcend births and achieve self-realization or union with Lord Subrahmanya. 

He says that how can I transcend the seven types of births? The seven major types of wombs (with 84 lakh variations) are as below:

Sri Arunagiri wants to transcend this repeated cycle of birth and death and escape (கெட) being born into these seven types of births (மாஏழ் சனனம்)

The body is itself a manifestation of Maya (மாயைவிடா )- To transcend Maya, we need to transcend this body 

மூஏடணை is a word that indicates three major desires

1. தனே ஏடணை  - Desire for wealth
2. தாரே ஏடணை - Desire for wife (spouse)
3. புத்திர ஏடணை - Desire for Offspring

Unless these three desires are transcended, we will be repeatedly caught in Maya and will take one of the seven types of births

So, in desperation, Sri Arunagiri asks when will these three desires be over? (மூஏடணை என்று முடிந்திடுமோ )

Then Sri Arunagiri addresses Murugan in the form of a King (கோவே)!

He also addresses Murugan (not surprisingly) as the One who married (புணரும்) Valli, of the hunter tribe (குறமின் கொடி) who has slender shoulders (கொடிதோள்) 

He finally addressed Murugan as the God (தேவே) who was the Guru (தேசிகனே) of Lord of Lords, the most auspicious One, Shiva Shankara (சிவ சங்கர) - The name Sankara means one who does Good things to His devotes 

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #38 - You Graced me, a person unworthy of Grace! (aadhaliyai ondru ariyenai)

ஆதாளியை, ஒன்று அறியேனை அறத் 

தீது ஆளியை ஆண்டது செப்புமதோ 

கூதாள கிராத குலிக்கு இறைவா 

வேதாள கணம் புகழ் வேலவனே (38) 

adhaaliyai, ondru ariyenai - ara

thethaaliyai aandu seppumatho!

koodhala kiratha kulikku iraiva!

vedhala ganam pugazh velavane (38) 

ஆதாளியை - One of vain speech

ஒன்று அறியேனை - One who knows nothing

அறத் தீது ஆளியை - One with extremely bad character

ஆண்டது - To Grace

செப்புமதோ  - How can I even describe?

கூதாள - wearing koodhala flower 

கிராத குலிக்கு - (Valli) Born in the family of Hunters 

இறைவா - Lord

வேதாள கணம் - Spirits and Ghosts 

புகழ் - Praise

வேலவனே - Lord who wields the Spear

Short Meaning

I am person of vain speech, a person who doesn't know anything and I am a person of extremely bad character - How can I even describe your Grace,  in words on how you took over me! Dear Lord, you wear the Koodhala flower and you are the Lord who wields the spear praised by even Spirits and Ghosts

Gloss

Self Realized Jnanis, never say 'I totally deserved it and I earned it' :) 

When self-realization occurs, they realize how infinitisimally small their effort was, and how magnanimous the Grace was. It is impossible to 'earn' Grace. Grace of the Lord works in ways unknown to the mind - Those who receive it always receive it in tears and always in doubt of 'what did I do to deserve this?' or 'why am I even receiving this?' - They only have overwhelming gratitude to the Lord for Gracing them

In this verse, Sri Arunagiri says he is a person of many flaws, with three major ones being:

1. One of Vain Speech (ஆதாளியை ) - Speech is a very powerful medium and the mode of verbalized speech is called Vaikhari and is overruled by Lord Ganesha Himself. So, useless words, misleading words, dishonest words and words of vanity should not be used. 

2. One who knows Nothing  (ஒன்று அறியேனை)- In His extreme humility, Sri Arunagiri says he knows nothing - However, it is a prayer for us as we have not spent any time in acquiring Spritual knowledge

3. One with extremely bad character (அறத் தீது ஆளியை) - Arunagiri Nathar seems to retrospect on his earlier years, where he was bound by lust and was a person of bad character

Hence, when Lord Murugan Graced Sri Arunagiri Nathar, he is overwhelmed with gratitude and asks - As a person of so many flaws, how can I ever describe how I acquired this Grace (ஆண்டது செப்புமதோ )? 

Sri Arunagiri, then describes Lord as one who wears the Koodhala (கூதாள) Flowers (a type of flower in Tamil Nadu)

He then calls Lord Murugan as Lord (இறைவா) of Valli, who was born in the family of hunters (கிராத குலி) - It is interesting to see oscillating views of Sri Arunagiri between verses :) In some he calls Lord as One who is always at the feet of Valli waiting for Her orders, but here, he calls Murugan as the Lord of Valli - This is because of the transcendent love between Valli and Murugan

Finally, needless to say, everyone knows Lord Shiva is surrounded by Bhoota Ganas - Scary looking ghosts and spirits (வேதாள கணம்). Even they worship (புகழ்) Lord Murugan (வேலவனே) - Out of His infinite kindness, Lord Murugan listens to their prayers too. 

PS:

Image Credit - https://www.wallsnapy.com/wallpaper/murugar/child-murugan-wallpapers-hd-3415.html

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #37 - Oh Mind! Please cut the root of the ego! (girivai vidu vikrama)

கிரிவாய் விடு விக்ரம வேல் இறையோன் 

பரிவாரம் எனும் பதம் மேவலையே 

புரிவாய் மனனே பொறையாம் அறிவால் 

அரிவாய் அடியோடும் அகந்தையையே (37)

girivaai vidu vikrama vel iraiyon

parivaaram enum padam mevalaiye

purivaai manane poraiyam arivaal

arivaai adiyodum agamnthaiyaye (37)

கிரிவாய் விடு - To make a hole (and split) in the (krauncha) 

விக்ரம வேல் - Strong Spear

இறையோன்  - Lord

பரிவாரம் எனும் - Group of Devotees

பதம் மேவலையே புரிவாய் - Desire to reach that state

மனனே - O Mind

பொறையாம் - By acquiring equanimity (and)

அறிவால் - By Knowledge 

அரிவாய் - Cut

அடியோடும் - From its roots 

அகந்தையையே - Egoistic identity

Short Meaning

Oh Mind, please aspire to be part of devotees of Lord Murugan, one who wields a strong spear that pierced and split the Asura who stood as Krauncha Mountain. Using patience, acquire the Knowledge of the Self which will cut the false identification of the ego from its roots.

Gloss

During the great battle, Lord Subramanya (இறையோன்) threw his magnificent spear (விக்ரம வேல்) at the Asura who stood as  Krauncha Hill (கிரிவாய் விடு ) blocking the Lord and His army and pierced through it, thus defeating the Asura. This Lord has greatest saints and devotees worshipping him (பரிவாரம்). In this verse, Sri Arunagirinathar requests his mind to reach the state of being such Devotees of the Lord (பதம் மேவலையே புரிவாய்)

Then Sri Arunagiri requests for 'Equanimity of Mind' (பொறையாம்)- This is explained in detail by Bhagawan Sri Krishna Paramatma in Bhagawat Geetha in Chapter 2 as 'Sthithaprajnathwam' - It is a state of equanimity where a person never delights in victory or sulks in defeat, with an ego that doesn't bloat with praise or shrink with insult. It is easy to call such state as 'dead' or 'boring' - But is such a precious state of clear perception where highest action can be performed. Sri Arunagiri wishes to reach this state. 

Once that is achieved, Sri Arunagiri requests the supreme knowledge of Self (அறிவால்) using which the bonds of ego (அகந்தையையே) that ties us down can be cut (அரிவாய்) completely from the roots (அடியோடும்)

Vedanta says there are two things needed for self realization:

1. Chitta Shuddhi (பொறை)

2. Knowledge from Guru (அறிவு)

Chitta Shuddhi is about cleansing of the consciousness. Over millions of births of self identification with various things, and countless desires, our identity has literally become dirty. This needs to be scrubbed - The ONLY way to do this is by Karma Yoga (which also includes Bhakti / Japam etc.) - By performing worship without desiring any results, Chitta Shuddi is achieved. This will take time and effort based on the each soul's travel so far.

No one can put it more precisely as Bhagawan Sri Ramana Maharshi in Upadesa Saram, Verse #3 [1]

In this verse, Bhagawan says, Karma done without desiring selfish results, and offering such work and its result to God, leads to cleansing of consciousness which makes one ready for Mukti (liberation)

A keen eye will note that Ramanar doesn't say that doing Karma liberates - He says Niskamya Karma (Action done without desiring results) only cleanses consciousness and makes one 'ready for liberation'  (mukti sadhakam)

Once Chitta Shuddhi is achieved, when a self-realized Guru, imports the knowledge of maha-vaakyas (tat-twam-asi or aham-brahmasmi or prajnanam brahma or ayam atma brahma or the like), a student instantly realizes self. 

In this verse, Sri Arunagiri Nathar requests Lord Subrahmanya to graciously give both of these.

[1] https://archive.arunachala.org/docs/collected-worm/upadesa-saram/
[2] Pic Credit - https://hinducosmos.tumblr.com/image/627989410924888064

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #36 - Teach me the Knowledge you shared with Lord Shiva! (naadha kumara)

நாதா, குமரா நம என்று அரனார் 

ஓதாய் என ஓதியது எப்பொருள் தான்? 

வேதா முதல் விண்ணவர் சூடும் மலர்ப் 

பாதா குறமின் பத சேகரனே (36)

naadha, kumara nama endru aranar

odhai ena odhiyathu epporul thaan?

vedha mudhal vinnavar soodum malar 

padha kuramin padha sekharane! (36)

நாதா - Lord Supreme

குமரா நம என்று - I bow to you, Kumara!

அரனார் - Lord Shiva

ஓதாய் என - Please teach me

ஓதியது - Taught

 எப்பொருள் தான்? - What was the Knowledge?

வேதா முதல் - From Brahma

விண்ணவர் - Devas and Gods 

சூடும்  மலர்ப் பாதா - Keep (Wear) your Flower like Feet in their head

குறமின் பத - Feet of Mother Valli

சேகரனே - Wear In your head 

Short Meaning

Oh Lord Murgan! You are the One, who's feet adorns the heads of various Gods starting from Brahma! You are the One who takes pride in having the feet of Mother Valli in your head! Please teach me the knowledge that you shared with Lord Shiva when He respectfully asked you for it! 

Gloss

[PS: Honestly, to translate these kind of verses true to their meaning in letter AND spirit is very very hard - This is due to nuances in Tamil language and also cultural background - For e.g., a westerner would be shocked by the last two lines of this verse and would find it gibberish - Please try to follow on for my attempt at translation :) ]

Sri Arunagiri, opens this verse by calling out to the Lord Murugan as Lord Supreme (நாதா) - This word indicates that Murugan is the Lord of Everything in this Universe and there is none supreme. It can also be interpreted as He is the Truth behind the Primal Sound of Pranava (Om) 

As per the Puranic reference, Lord Murugan once jailed Lord Brahma for not knowing the true meaning of Pranava Mantra (Om) and took over the creation from Him. Lord Shiva then questioned Murugan if He knew the meaning of the most sacred Mantra, the Om. When Murugan replied in the affirmative, Lord Shiva asked Him to share the meaning with Him. 

The Lord Murugan, Guru of all smiled and said that if He needs the meaning, Lord Shiva needs to bow down like a student and He'll sit in a raised seat and then teach Him the same. Shiva, the greatest of Gods, then bent down in front of Murugan, who sat in a raised seat and said "I bow down to you, Kumara! (குமரா நம)" - Kumara is one of the most scared names of Murugan implying his eternally youthful state (also indicating how time is powerless in front of him)

He then requested Murugan to share the meaning of Pranava - 'Please teach me!' (ஓதாய்)

Lord Shiva is here referenced as Hara (அரனார்) - It is important to note that all texts indicate the identity of Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan - They are both different forms of the same Supreme. It should not be perceived that Lord Shiva did not know the meaning and hence bowed. He was exemplifying how a student should behave in front of his Guru. 

In Tamil, if you say Swami (God) it means Shiva. Who can be the Lord of Swami? (Swami + Natha)? - Only His son, Murugan. This is the why Murugan is also referred to as Swaminatha Swami (God who is the Lord of Shiva) - This is the incident where Murugan also got the name 'Siva Guru' - Guru of Lord Shiva. 

Lord Shiva was mesmerized by His son's explanation of Pranava mantra and blessed Him! 

Sri Arunagiri refers to this incident and asks 'What was the knowledge that you shared with Lord Shiva during this incident'? (ஓதியது எப்பொருள் தான்?) - Implying the request to teach the same him as well!

Arunagiri then says, Lord Murugan's feet are like a flower (மலர்ப் பாதா ) and Gods beginning from Brahma (வேதா முதல் விண்ணவர் ) love to wear it in their Head - Can be interpreted as all the Gods would fall at the feet of Lord Murugan. 

But, Murugan Himself, likes the feet of the tribal girl, Mother Valli (குறமின் பத) in His Head (சேகரனே)

[Lord Shiva is Chandra Shekhara (one who keeps Moon over His head), but His son Murugan is Kuramin Pada Shekaran (குறமின் பத சேகரனே) - Has feet of Mother Valli over His head :) )

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #35 - Grace me to overcome the fate that is relentless! (vidhi kaanum udambai)

 

 விதிகாணும் உடம்பை விடா வினையேன் 

கதிகாண மலர்க் கழல் என்று அருள்வாய்? 

மதி வாள்நுதல் வள்ளியை அல்லது பின் 

துதியா விரதா, சுர பூபதியே (35)

vidhi kaanum udambai vida vinaiyen
kathi kaana malar kazhal endru arulvai?
mathi vaal nuthal valliyai allathu pin
thuthiya viratha sura bhoopathiye! (35)

விதி காணும் - As a result of one's fate

உடம்பை - This body

விடா - does not leave

வினையேன் - karma 

கதிகாண - To reach its destination 

மலர்க் கழல் - Feet like flower (lotus)

என்று  - when

அருள்வாய்? Grace

மதி வாள்நுதல் - Forehead like a glowing moon 

வள்ளியை - Mother Valli

அல்லது பின் - No other

துதியா - Praise

விரதா - Resolute 

சுர பூபதியே - Lord of Devas

Short Meaning

This body, which is the result of our past Karma cannot transcend the Karma - So, to be unleashed from its clutches, when will you offer Grace from your lotus like feet? O Lord of Devas, you have resolved to sing praises only of Mother Valli who's forehead glows like a moon! 

Gloss

The body that we have is the result of our past Karmas (விதி காணும் உடம்பை) - Hence, it is under the clutches of Karma  (விடா வினையேன்) 

The infinite Self (Atma) under the clutches of Maya, identifies as a limited Jiva. This Jiva, trapped under its false identity of the mind-body complex, gets the notion of doer-ship (karthruthvam) and enjoyer-ship (bhokthruthvam). As long as these notions exists, a Jiva cannot escape the clutches of Karma - as both of theses cause creation of more Karma and/or experience of Karma Phala (result of Karma)

The only way to come out of this infinite and endless cycle is by Grace of the Lord. So, Sri Arunagiri, asks 'When will you offer the Grace of your Lotus like feet?' (கதிகாண மலர்க் கழல் என்று அருள்வாய்)

It is interesting to note that Lord Shiva, as Nataraja also bestows Grace to His devotees from His raised left leg (kunchita vama paadam)

PS:- The first line can also be interpreted as the 'Body that is given by Lord Brahma, cannot be escape the clutches of fate (karma)'

Sri Arunagiri ends the verse by appealing to Lord Murugan, who is extremely fond of Mother Valli. Arunagiri indicates Mother Valli (வள்ளியை) has a forehead that is glowing like a moon (மதி வாள்நுதல்). 

Due to His extreme fondness of Mother Valli, Sri Arunagiri calls Lord Murugan as one who has taken resolve (விரதா) to sing praises of no one but Mother Valli (அல்லது பின் துதியா). 

And, Arunagiri also calls Murugan as the Lord of Devas (சுர பூபதியே)! 

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #34 - Give me the Grace to overcome lust (singara madanthaiyar)

 

சிங்கார மடந்தையர் தீநெறி போய் 

மங்காமல் எனக்கு வரம் தருவாய் 

சங்க்ராம சிகாவல, சண்முகனே 

கங்காநதி பால, க்ருபாகரனே (34)

singara madanthaiyar thee-neri poi

mangaamal enakku varam tharuvai

sangrama sigavala shanmukhane

ganga nathi pala, krupakarane! (34)

சிங்கார - Beautiful 

மடந்தையர் - Women

தீநெறி போய் - Evil path

மங்காமல் - (Intellect) dulled

எனக்கு - For me 

வரம் - Boon

தருவாய் - Give 

சங்க்ராம - War

சிகாவல - Peacock

சண்முகனே - Six Faced One 

கங்காநதி பால - Raised by Ganga

க்ருபாகரனே - One filled with Grace

Short Meaning

O Six faced Lord who rides a peacock for wars, Please grant me the boon of not letting me fall astray by going behind beautiful women - You were raised by Mother Ganga and you are filled with Grace!

Gloss

This is a painfully common theme across Kandhar Anubhuti and among all works of Sri Arunagiri Nathar. This is a warning against lust for both men and women which is a very powerful emotion that can bond people to their material plane of existence. 

We have to remind ourselves of the way how Sri Arunagiri grew - He went astray and spent a lot of time going behind prostitutes whom he calls as beautiful and bedecked women (சிங்கார மடந்தையர்) - Since he was a victim of lust and he decided to take his life because of this, this theme repeats across his works. 

This should *not* be thought of as Arunagiri's hatred for women - Here, he is against his own lust for prostitutes and not women as a group. 

He calls this lust as a wrong path (தீநெறி) that folks take and that which will take them to their ruins. He pleads to Lord Murugan to give him the boon (வரம் தருவாய்) not to dull (மங்காமல்) his intelligence so that he doesn't fall to the strong impulse of lust. 

He then calls out to Murugan as the the six faced Lord (சண்முகனே) who rides a peacock (சிகாவல) during wars (சங்க்ராம) and one who was raised by Mother Ganges (கங்காநதி பால) and One who is filled with Grace (க்ருபாகரனே) (and hence can offer Grace). The details of the last two lines are repeated and more details can be found in Verse 33. 

 

PS:- Image from http://murugan.org/research/kalidos-1989.htm

Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #33 - When will I over the immense pain of bondage? (chithaakula illodu)

சிந்தாகுல இல்லொடு செல்வம் எனும் 

விந்தாடவி என்று விடப் பெறுவேன் 

மந்தாகினி தந்த வரோதயனே 

கந்தா, முருகா, கருணாகரனே (33)

chintakula illodu selvam enum

vinthadavi endru vida peruven?

manthagini thantha varothayane

kandha muruga karunakarane (33)

சிந்தாகுல -  Sources of mental agony

இல்லொடு - family

செல்வம் - money

எனும் - such

விந்தாடவி - dark forest of Vindhyas

என்று விடப் பெறுவேன் - when will I be liberated?

மந்தாகினி தந்த- Given by Ganges 

வரோதயனே - Who appeared as the result of a boon to Devas 

கந்தா - Skanda! 

முருகா - Muruga!

கருணாகரனே - Personification of Grace!

Short Meaning

Dear Lord Skanda! Muruga! You are the gift from Mother Ganges and  personification of Grace - When will I be liberated from the pain of being lost in the dark forest of materialistic life (bondage to family and wealth)?

Gloss

We have to remember that this work, Kandhar Anubhuti is also aimed at devotees at their final stages of evolution and those who are ready to merge with the divine. 

When someone is learning to cycle, additional two smaller support wheels by the side helps one balance and avoids falling. But, once someone learns to cycle well, and wants to race, the two wheels will be a hindrance. In a similar fashion, a life involving family (இல்) helps an individual souls evolve from a self-centered life. A person realizes that he is more than just his selfish pursuits and extends his identity to his / her spouse, parents, kids and extended family etc. But, this same construct that lets him evolve is also a limitation in the *final* step of spiritual process. This verse needs to be interpreted at this level only. 

Also, while money (செல்வம்) gives a sense of free mind and helps run life smoothly, it can be an impediment when the focus is only on it and there is an avaricious goal to amass more. 

So, Sri Arunagiri calls these two things as causes of deep mental anguish (சிந்தாகுல).

A person caught deep in the bonds of family life and in desire of wealth cannot find liberation. The Vindhya mountain range in South India is known for its thick and dark forests - There have been numerous counts of people walking in getting lost and unable to find their way back. Arunagiri compares the impediments of wealth and family bondage to this forest of Vindhya mountains (விந்தாடவி) from which there is no way to find liberation 

Hence, he calls out to Lord Murugan for help - He addresses Lord Murugan as the Gift of Ganges (மந்தாகினி தந்த) - To remind us all of the appearance of Murugan, when Asura Surapadman's atrocities reached their zenith, Devas pleaded Lord Shiva to help - Lord Shiva then emitted six fire balls from his Third eye - These were carefully carried and were placed in River Ganges - These six then converted to six babies which were taken care by six Krithika Girls. Mother Parvati then hugged all six of them in her maternal joy and they all merged into one form with six faces and twelve hands. 

Sri Arunagiri hence brings out two aspects of this event - One who was the gift of Ganges since only Mother Ganga could handle the heat of six ferocious fire balls from Shiva's Third eye. And also, as one who appeared as a boon of Lord Shiva to Devas (வரோதயனே = வர (boon) + உதயனே (appeared) )

It is important to note that Lord Murugan was not 'created' but 'appeared' - It is also called out it Verse 12, as a person who was never born. Since all that is born, will die. Lord Murugan is eternal and beyond the bounds of time. He just appeared for us due to Grace of Lord Shiva. 

The first verse of Mandukya calls out "Om is everything - Om is past, present and future. It is also beyond these three" - How can something not be part of past / present or future? We should realize that time is nothing but a small dimension for God and He is neither bound by it nor controlled by it. Rules that apply to us do not apply to Him. 

Finally, Sri Arunagiri concludes the verse by calling out to Lord Subrahmanya in three ways:

1. Skanda - One who reduces the strength of enemies 
2. Muruga - Most Beautiful One
3. Karunakarane - Personification of Grace

The last name is of special importance. For the soul caught in the mire of Samsara, it is only Grace that can save it. Else, there is no hope at all - There is no effort that can be done for it to escape from its the dark ocean of samsara - Only Grace of Lord Murugan can save us. Hence Sri Arunagiri appeals to this aspect of Lord Subrahmanya to save us

PS: Murugan image from http://knowledgefruit.blogspot.com/2013/01/ganga-mother.html