*THE GREAT AUTHOR OF THIRUPPUGAZH*
*
Arunagiri*
* "Oh Lord Kumara, it is delightful to watch your
enchanting six sacred faces.
As I get your delightful vision, your Lotus feet
adorned by the ornaments of Sadhangai and Thandai,
your ankles adorned by Silambu
and your twelve shoulders adorned by the Kadappa garlands,
what can the planetary or other influence do to me?
So long you are beside me,
how inauspicious days harm me?
What can the ill-fate arising from past karmas do to me?
How can disaster fall on me?
What can the Lord of Death do to me?"
(Nal En Seyum……Kandhar Alamgaram 38)
*
*Great sages have attained enlightenment after going through an elaborate
process of meditation, contemplation and sacrifice. They have devised
certain eternal principles to be followed. These principles which define an
ideal way of life have come to be known as Sanathana Dharma. Time and again,
there appeared saints to remind us of the need to adhere to these
principles, the need to maintain our rich cultural heritage and the need to
uphold our high spiritual values. The saints interpreted the Vedas in a
lucid style and awakened the consciousness of the people. By explaining the
worldly objects as material and spiritual, myths and reality, they stressed
the ideals of truth and directed humanity to the correct destination. They
have explained the relevance of these principles even in the changing world
conditions. They continue to show us the path of perfection that leads to
ultimate state of God realization and salvation. *
*Among many saints who guided humanity to the path of perfection,
Arunagirinathar occupies a unique position. His songs not only kindled the
flame of devotion in the minds of people but also the light of knowledge in
the intellect. He showed the way to the life of virtue and righteousness. He
showed the way to the Lotus Feet of Muruga. *
*Arunagirinathar was born in 15th century at Thiruvannamalai. As his father
expired soon after his birth, his mother, Muthamma and sister, Adhi, brought
him up. They aspired to bring him up in the rich cultural and religious
tradition. Arunagiri showed a receptive mind and even studied the scriptures
but gradually his interests turned elsewhere. The mother and sister were
there to love him but the father was not there to discipline him. Overtaken
by disease and dejection, Arunagiri decided to end his life and fell from
the tower of Thiruvannamalai temple. But rather than falling to the ground,
he found himself in the hands of a saviour. "You are not born to die. You
are born to save lives. You are not born to fall but make others rise. You
are born to fulfill a divine mission. You are the chosen one to sing the
glory of Lord Muruga." said the saviour, who was none other than Lord Muruga
Himself. Arunagiri, who has been rescued from the darkness of death, now
found himself before a power that radiated brilliant rays of brightness. He
now got the vision of Lord Muruga. *
**
*Arunagiri could not believe his eyes and ears. Lord Muruga was standing
before him majestically, holding the sparkling Vel (lance), His Mayil
(peacock) nearby and exuding an aura of charm and splendour. It was as if
all the power, beauty and knowledge of the universe had personified and
descended on earth. Overwhelmed with emotion and wondering how he became
worthy of such an enormous grace, Arunagiri folded his hands and bowed in
reverence. Words failed him. The Lord, full of mercy, blessed him, conferred
him the saintly advice (Upadesa) and set out the sacred tasks before him.
Arunagiri was delighted at being initiated to saint-hood direct by Lord.
According to legend, it was Arunagirinathar, who had the fortune of
belonging to the "Blessed Three" who received the saintly advice (Upadesa)
direct from Muruga, the other two being Lord Shiva and Saint Agasthiyar.
Having got the blessings of Muruga, Arunagiri composed and rendered
extempore, his first song "Muthai Tharu..." *
*Aiming at God realization, many saints followed the path of knowledge
(Gjnana) It was not an easy path but they pursued it vigorously. They
sacrificed all basic necessities for the fulfillment of their aim. But the
case of Arunagirinathar was different. He did not undergo any penance or
meditation. He did not undergo any path of struggle. Yet, for some strange
reasons, he qualified himself to the grace of the Lord. While other saints,
having led a life of virtue, realized God at the end, Arunagiri, having led
a life of carnal pleasure, realized God at the very beginning. Strange
indeed are the ways of God. There was something in him, beyond all his
weaknesses that made Lord to choose Arunagiri as His ideal disciple.
Perhaps, it was the devotional bend of mind that remained dormant in
Arunagiri's heart. Perhaps, it was his genuine sense of guilt or his
eagerness to atone for his sin. Perhaps, it was his inherent strength to
rise up to the high task expected of him. Whatever that be, Arunagiri proved
himself worthy of Lord's finest Messenger. Arunagiri rose up to the
occasion, came out of his world of illusion, lived up to the high demands of
his new role and admirably fulfilled the divine task expected of him. *
*Arunagiri then proceeded to Vayalur and prayed before Lord Muruga. It is
believed that the Lord again appeared before him in the form of a person and
ordained him: "Sing about Me, about My Vel (lance), about peacock (Mayil)
about Seval (rooster) about Vayalur and about my various other abodes". "It
is indeed a rare honour to be able to sing Thy glory", Arunagiri said and
prostrated before Vayalur Muruga in total submission. After worshiping the
shrine of Poyya Ganapathy nearby, he set out his historic journey; the
journey that took him many holy places and gave him an illuminating
experience. *
*While Tiruvannamalai transformed Arunagirinathar into an enlightened sage,
Vayalur made him an erudite scholar. Arunagiriathar composed number of songs
on Muruga in his inimitable style. What provided stimulus for his songs was
his 'temple experience'. It was an enlightening experience to visit the six
abodes of Muruga, Tiruchendur, Tirupparamkundram, Tiru Avinangudi, Swami
Malai, Tiruthani and Pazhamudhir Solai, where Lord Muruga performed various
acts of bravery, marriage, renunciation, enlightenment and redemption.
Arunagirinathar visited over 260 temples of Shiva, Muruga, Vishnu and other
deities. Every temple had a unique history of its own. Impressed by the
sanctity, the power and importance of the temple, Arunagirinathar composed
songs on the Lord, bringing forth all the unique characteristics. While
referring to the history of a temple, we often find special mention being
made about Arunagiri's visit there, as if his mere visit has brought
sanctity and sacredness to the temple. After an extensive of visit of
temples, Arunagiri returned to Tiruvannamalai to lead a quiet life of
devotion. The King Prabhuda Devaraja honoured him and granted him the
privileged status of a 'Poet of the Royal Court'. *
*It is believed that Arunagirinathar composed over 16,000 songs but only
1365 songs have been traced. Having had the vision of Muruga and the
experience of realizing Him, Arunagiri extolled the various divine qualities
of the Lord, His benevolence, His knowledge, His valour and courage, His
exquisite beauty and brought all His magnificence into full focus in his
Thiruppugazh. In the song: "Thandayani Vendayum, Kinkini Sadhangayum" he
likened the beautiful face of Muruga to that of an effulgent and exuberant
moon. He did not differentiate between Shivite and Vaishnavite thoughts and
ended his song addressing Muruga as "Perumale", the term normally used by
Vaishnavites to address Lord Maha Vishnu. He referred Muruga as "Malon
Marugane" (Son-in-law of Maha Vishnu - Thirumal), as, according to legend,
Muruga's consorts, Valli and Deivayanai were daughters of Thirumal in their
previous births. Arunagirinathar conveyed messages of truth and Dharma by
citing instances from Ramayana and Mahabharatha. Villiputhoorar, a rival
poet of his time, challenged Arunagirinathar for a show of talent and skill.
Arunagirinathar then composed Kandhar Andhathi and Villiputhoorar conceded
defect for not being able to comprehend the 54th stanza.*
*Kandhar Alamgaram, an ornament of verses Arunagirinathar made for adoring
Muruga vividly portrays the splendour of the Lord from His sacred head to
His Lotus feet. It is believed that just as Thiruvachagam would please Lord
Shiva, Kandhar Alamgaram would please Lord Muruga. Kandhar Anuboothi,
containing 51 stanzas, depicts Arunagirinathar's experience of having
received the saintly advice (Upadesa) and having experienced the presence of
Lord Muruga. It is said that Anuboothi which means divine experience is the
quintessence of all Arunagiri's works. Arunagirinathar also composed hymns
(Virutham) on Vel (lance), Mayil (peacock), Seval (rooster), Thiru Ezhu
Kootrirukkai, Thiruvakuppu and Velaikkaran Vakuppu. All these songs are
ideal for daily prayer and one who renders them with devotion is sure to
overcome the hovering storm and sail through the ocean of life smoothly.*
**
*Arunagirinathar says, so long one has the grace of Lord Muruga, the mighty
Lord of Death, Yama Raja, cannot come near. There is a general impression
that death is something untoward, something 'unfortunate', and something to
fear about. One who has the actual knowledge of death fears not. Death is
not an end in itself. Death occurs only to the body and not to the soul.
Death means transition of the soul from a temporal world to an immortal
world, from material to spiritual and from Maya (illusion) to real. This
view is expressed in the dialogue between God of Death (Yamaraja) and
Naciketas, the nine year old inquisitive boy as revealed in Kathopanishad
and one finds almost similar views in Arunagirinathar's works. *
*Arunagiri had not received any formal learning. He had no opportunity to
study scriptures in depth. In fact, he spent time seeking pleasure. It
defies reason how such a person could compose a magnum opus like
Thiruppugazh that equals the knowledge of the Vedas? Arunagirinathar himself
answers this question: "This knowledge, this talent, this eloquence and this
skill do not belong to me. They are the gift of Lord Muruga". (Yam Odhiya
Kalviyum Em Arivum). It was the enormous grace of Muruga that helped him to
compose a work of such magnitude and find answers to various human problems.
*
*Arunagirinathar used the pleasing medium of music and the sweet language of
Tamil to commune with God. He composed Thiruppugazh in the Chandam style
which means setting the verses in metre, conforming to beats or rhythm.
Varying rhythms were in-built into the songs in a way that every song has a
distinct Thala or time measure. Tamil language has acquired a unique
dimension and sanctity in the hands of Arunagirinathar who blended it with
the divine language of Sanskrit. Going through his songs, it would seem that
Tamil has rarely been handled so beautifully in poetic verses before.
According to Tamil scholars, the poetic expression of Arunagiri, his
language and style, the metaphors and similes he used, all went into making
his works an outstanding literary masterpiece. "Villukku Vijayan, Vakkukku
Arunagiri" so goes a Tamil saying. "If Arjuna is known for his archery
power, Arunagiri is known for his vocabulary power".*
*Almost all works of devotion hail the glory of the Lord. Great many saints
composed songs that lauded the 'sacred glory' (Thiruppugazh) of the Lord.
But no other works portrayed the glory of the Lord so eloquently, elegantly
and truly as did Arunagiri and therefore only Arunagirinathar's works have
acquired the name, quite appropriately, as "Thiruppugazh". Thiruppugazh
encompasses all aspects of human relations, that which relates one to God
and that which relates one to another. As Arunagirinathar composed
Thiruppugazh after receiving the enlightened Advice (Upadesa) from the Lord,
his songs acquired an inherent strength and power and those who render these
prayers would find fulfillment in life. *
*The seventh and ninth centuries witnessed a phenomenal rise in Shiva
worship. The 63 Nayanmars hailed the glory of Lord Shiva in magnificent
verses. They brought a new impetus to Bhakthi movement. It heralded a new
era of Shaiva Sidhanta. Shaiva Sidhanta is a formalized doctrine on Shiva
worship and is ranked as one of the highest systems of human thought. Though
originated in Kashmir region around 250 BC, it prospered in Tamil Nadu. It
postulated the theory of Shiva Yoga, the path of enlightenment leading to
ultimate integration of the soul with the Supreme Power. Panniru Thirumurai
is an excellent collection of devotion that forms the basis of Shaiva
Sidhantham. Composed independently and in combination by 27 saints, these
twelve works extend to 18,000 songs and are considered as inexhaustible
source of knowledge and devotion. The four saints, popularly known as
"Nalvar" took the glory of Shiva to all time high. Shaiva Sidhantam has
taken deep root in Tamil soils *
*The advent of Arunagirinathar gave another direction and brought Muruga at
the centre stage of worship. Though Muruga worship was prevalent even from
the period of Tholkappiyam, it was Shaiva Sidhantam that prevailed all over.
Great many Shiva temples leaped towards the sky like Thiru Annamalai,
Brahadeeswarar, Jalakandeswar, Sundareswar, Chidambaranar, Sanghameswarar,
Ardhanareeswarar, Nellayappar, Thayumanavar, Vaitheeswarar, Kapaleeswarar,
Patteeswarar etc. Though Arunagirinathar himself worshipped at Shiva temples
and drew inspiration from saints like Gjana Sambhandar, he highlighted the
glory of Muruga, as never before. The songs of Arunagiri have brought the
glory of Muruga to an all time high. Muruga, already known as Thamizh
Kadavul, became the Lord most loved, adored admired and worshiped. *
*With every word selectively chosen like a flower, the song that Arunagiri
composed brightened up as a colourful garland. While saints appreciated the
depth, range, and message, scholars appreciated the diction, poetic
excellence and the literary richness, devotees found in Thiruppugazh a
novel, easy and pleasant form of worship. Literary critics hailed Arunagiri
as the master craftsman of letters. Never before, there was a poet of such
distinction and erudition. Never before, literature and devotion blended so
harmoniously. It is difficult to judge who is greater, the poet
Arunagirinathar who composed the verses with remarkable skill or the saint
Arunagirinathar, who propounded the doctrine of devotion (Bhakti) in a
convincing manner. Needless to say, it is his devotion towards Muruga that
helped the poet in Arunagiri to bloom in full colours. The immortal works of
Arunagirinathar would continue to inspire the spiritual aspirants for many
more years to come. *
*Sri Sachidhananda Swamigal dedicated his entire life to highlight the glory
of Thiruppugazh. Seshadri Swamigal described Thiruppugazh as the Maha Mantra
that would transform the life of devotees Thayumanavar said: "Oh Arunagiri!
Who else can compose a word of truth as beautifully like you" ('Ayya
Arunagiri'). Chidambara Swamigal said: "Oh Thiru Porur Kumara, as your
enchanting body is adorned with garlands composed by Arunagiri and
Nakkeerar, I feel the fabulous fragrance from you.". Arunachala Reddiar said
the songs of Thiruppugazh are so powerful that they would reverberate all
over the world. Many saints hailed the glory of Arunagiri in the form of
Pillai Thamizh and Sannidhi Murai. There were many saints like Pamban
Swamigal, Vaidyanatha Desikar, Poet Veera Raghava Mudaliar, Poet Sahaya
Devar, Chidambara Munivar, Kandappa Desikar, Krupananda Variyar,
Sengalvaraya Pillai, Calcutta Thiruppugazh Mani Iyer, T.M. Krishnaswamy
Iyer, Pithukuli Murugadas etc. who took the glory of Thiruppagazh to great
height. Sri A.S. Raghavan, affectionately known as Guruji rendered every
verse of Thiruppugazh a distinct Raaga and Thala. Having given the verses of
Thiruppugazh the sweet sound of music, "Guruji" has been leading a powerful
Thiruppugazh movement across the country and abroad for over 3 decades now.
"As mother bird trains its fledglings to jump, fly from lower to higher
branches of a tree and takes off skyward, Arunagiri trains us to go from the
relatively simple to the complex in spirituality by linking up charity,
control of anger and meditation". Said Guruji. *
*Matchless in its appeal to the intellect and heart, Thiruppugazh stresses
the importance of knowledge and devotion. Thiruppugazh penetrates into the
self, awakens the inner consciousness and enlightens the soul. It
synthesizes the different concepts enunciated by saints and aims at reaching
the Lotus Feet of Muruga. The songs not only delight the heart, they
enlighten the intellect, heal the disease, console the mind, ensure
happiness and take the devotees to the right destination in life.*
*"Oh Lord Kumara, it is delightful to watch your
enchanting six sacred faces.
As I get your delightful vision, your Lotus feet
adorned by the ornaments of Sadhangai and Thandai,
your ankles adorned by Silambu
and your twelve shoulders adorned by the Kadappa garlands,
what can the planetary or other influence do to me?
So long you are beside me, how an inauspicious day harm me?
What can the ill-fate arising from past karmas do to me?
How can disaster fall on me?
What can the Lord of Death do to me?
(Nal En Seyum……Kandhar Alamgaram 38) *
* The Utsavar idol of Lord Muruga with His Consorts at the Palani temple.*
