Category: Thiruvannamalai

aksharamana malai 99

24/12/2020

Vedanthathe vaer ara viLangum
Veda poruL arul Arunachala

Meaning
Arunachala, bless me with the experience of merging with the Absolute silence where there is no difference between me and you, a state postulated by the upanishads that are the end of the vedas. Bless me with the inner meaning of the vedas that shines as the undivided one.

Explanation
In the Upanishads, which come at the end of the Vedas, there are instructions for various sects of people according to their role in the material plane of existence, which implies a nondual nature (teacher and student). When the state that differentiates from the Brahman is destroyed, what remans is the ‘paramartha swarupam’ (form of god/Absolute) which shines as One. That part of the vedas which explicitly explain the self realisation is called upanishads. Since they appear at the end of the vedas (antham is end, Vedanta is at the end of Vedas), these wisdom-sections (gnana kaandam or upanishads) are called Vedantas. This is what Bhagavan points out as ‘vedanthathe vaer Ara vilangum’ - that which shines as not separate from vedanta.

Since it is difficult to understand Vedas without a guru, Bhagavan pleads for Arunachala’s grace to reach that stage (mentioned in the Vedanta).

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aksharamana malai 36

15/10/2020

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Sollaadhu soli nee sollara nillendru
Summa irundhai Arunachala

Meaning
Arunachala! As if to tell me, ‘Don’t keep asking for this and that, be quiet’, you remained still like Dakshinamurthy, thus teaching me to be silent also without saying it in so many words.

Explanation
In the previous verse Bhagavan prayed for a way of redemption (Uyi vagai yedhurai ), in this verse he hints at the upadesa (teaching) he received from the lord.
Arunachala, who is the lord of the jiva (soul), shining as intelligence itself in the extremely ripe souls, bestows the highest teaching, that of Silence. In the beginning, Dakshinamurty taught the same to the sons of Brahma (Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanandana and Sanatkumara).

The most idea way to teach the subtlest and the highest of truths (Silence) and to receive it, is through silence itself. There is no other way. The aim of the guru’s silence is to elevate the disciple to the same state. If the guru says ‘be still’ in words, it contradicts the essence of the teaching. So the guru remains silent, thus instructing the disciple through the silence [we covered Lord Muruga's upadesa to Saint Arunagiri Nathar, 'Summa ire sol ara' in an earlier post].

Note: Once at the ashram on a Maha Shivarathiri, Bhagavan was asked the significance of the night, to which Bhagavan asked the devotees to sit down, they all sat eager to hear lectures. But Bhagavanhe went into silence. There was absolute stillness all around. Hours rolled on from 10 pm till next morning and the sun had risen, no one felt tired or hungry. Bhagavan got up and went for his morning walk thus explaining the meaning.

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aksharamana malai post 21

4/9/2020

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kenjiyum vanjiyai konjamum irangilai
anjalendre aruL Arunachala

Meaning
Arunachala! My beseeching prayers will melt even a hard rock, but no matter how much I beg, you, like a hard-hearted cruel person, don’t show any mercy. At least now shower me with your grace and compassion and protect me by saying ‘ Do not fear’.
Explanation

Arunachala, if you, who by nature, are compassion-incarnate, ignore me, who will hear my pleas? To act as if you don’t hear the pleas of those who are supplicating you and not bestowing your grace is unlike you.
The mind, contemplating divinity over and over till its impurities (chittha malam) are whittled down, becomes ripe and fit for divine grace. Until then it might seem like Lord is cruel and is oblivious to the devotee’s pleas. But this too is part of His plan to elevate the seeker.
Manickavasagar the great Saivite poet says, ‘sendru sendru aNu aNuvai theyndhu theyndhu ondram thiruperundhurai urai sivane’ -
Note: It literally means, ‘going going, worn out worn out to an atom, become one with Siva in Thiruperundhiurai.’ Roughly translates to ‘I kept going till I was whittled down the size of an atom and merged with you Siva in Tiruperundurai’.

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aksharamana malai post 7

1/8/2020

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Unai yaematri odaadhuLathinmel
Urudhiyayi iruppai Arunachala

Meaning
Arunachala! Please make sure that my mind does not wander all over the place through my five senses (indriyas) thus slipping away slyly, escaping from you.
Explanation
The indriyas (the five senses) because of the vasanas anchored deep in the heart/mind (uLLam) cheat you and escape outwards. Arresting their outward movement is not possible without your grace. Hence Bhagavan is seeking Arunachala’s grace to for the mind to get a firm hold on the Self (uLlathin Mel urudhiyai iruppai). Since the mind has nothing to hold onto inside, it goes outward through the five senses. So please transform it into your form, then there is no room for cheating, says Bhagavan.
Unai yemaatri has two meaning. Yematri means to cheat, and unaiye matri means ‘yourself change’. Unai is you, unaye places an emphasis meaning you yourself. Maatri is to change, transform.
You are Atma swaroopa, the form of Atman. May the runaway mind not cheat you, the Atma swaroopa, and go after material things through the deluded senses. May it stay anchored in your true form in the heart firmly.

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aksharamana malai post 6

29/7/2020

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Eendridum annayin peridharuL purivoi
Idhuvo unadharul Arunachala

Meaning
Arunachala! You drench your devotees with love that’s greater than that of a mother’s, is this the glory of your grace?
Explanation
In this world nothing compares to a mother’s love as it is unconditional and limitless. By pointing out ‘PeridharuL purivoi’ Bhagavan says God’s love is even better. By asking ‘Is this the glory of your grace (idhuvo unadharuL)? Bhagavan is referring to the state he has been in after Arunachala possessed him since his boyhood days. It’s also accusatory.

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aksharamana malai post 4

21/7/2020

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Aarukkavenai aandanai agatrildil
Ulagam pazhithidum Arunachala!

Meaning:
Arunachala! For whose sake did you take over me? After taking over me lovingly at first, if you abandon me now won’t the world condemn you?

Explanation
With complete disregard for my rights you took me your prisoner, now if you abandon this innocent bride (Kanakammal uses the word pedhai’ which usually refers to naive girl), the world on my behalf will condemn and mock you. If you who are the Protector fail in your job the world will take you to task, says Bhagavan.

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aksharamana malai 99

aksharamana malai 36

aksharamana malai post 21

aksharamana malai post 7

aksharamana malai post 6

aksharamana malai post 4

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