Thiruppugazh:
Both the means and end
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| Thiruppugazh: Both the means and end. |
 |  | Thiru V.S. Krishnan Tamil Nadu, INDIA | in PDF format | பட்டியல் தேடல் list search |
Thiruppugazh: Both the means and end. (by Thiru V.S. Krishnan, Tamil Nadu, INDIA.) A Sadhaka has two-fold aim in life; to lead this life here peacefully and perfectly and to take this life there, to its right and ultimate destination. Anyone would be able to achieve these two objectives easily by simple means of devotion. However, the path by which one walks through this life is always not smooth. There are pitfalls, obstacles, diversions and distractions. Quite often, the individual feels the need for some support, guidance and strength to carry his journey forward. It is almost similar to the experience of the devotee heading towards Palani during Thaipusam. When, after long hours of walk by braving the rough weather, bare-foot and starving, he is thoroughly exhausted, he leans upon the shoulder of his companion to gather strength and go forward. Similarly, the devotee who is struggling to cross the ocean of Samsara (material life) also feels the need for some companions and support. The shoulder is the symbol of support. It is the shoulder that a woman leans upon when she needs some solace, comfort or support. A human shoulder may not always be available or accessible. A human shoulder may not always give ever-lasting support. The best shoulder that is ever accessible, ever-lasting, gives confidence, courage, strength and support is that of Muruga. That is why, Arunagirinathar has sought the support of Muruga's shoulders in almost all his songs. Normally, the individual would be walking with some companions, but there comes an occasion when he has to walk alone through a dark corridor towards his final destination. At that time, he would badly need some support and courage. Arunagirinathar says that in such an event, the shoulders of Muruga alone give him support and reassure him that there is nothing to fear. (Avan Panniru Tholum, naan bayantha thani vazhikku thunai ... 'Vizhikku Thunai', Kandhar Alangkaram 70 - விழிக்குத் துணை). In another song, Arunagirinathar says: "What harm the planetary movements or evil effects do me when I have the grace of Muruga and his shoulders to support me?" ('nAL en seiyum', Kandhar Alangkaram 38 - நாளென் செயும்). When Arunagirinathar stood before Vayalur Muruga wondering how he would compose, Thiruppugazh, he heard the command of the God thus: "Sing about me, about my Vel and about my shoulder" (chitradiyu mutriyapa niruthoLum) (Thiruppugazh: pakkarai). In another song Arunagirinathar says "Before the messengers of Lord of Death arrive, Oh Muruga, appear before me, your broad shoulders adorned by colourful garlands) ('soodu tholum thadan thirumaarbum' ... Thiruppugazh: kaalanaar). The concluding song of all bhajans, while describing the six sacred faces of Muruga, his lance (vel), the peacock, the rooster, his consorts, Deivayanai and Valli and devotees, assert first the shoulders of Muruga which goes to show how important the shoulder of Muruga is. (Aru Iru Thadanthol Vazhga, Arumugam Vazhga, Verpai Koorusai ... ஆறிரு தடந்தோள் வாழ்க - Kandha PurANam). In another song, Arunagirinathar says: "I worship the courageous leader, Muruga, having 12 shoulders who courted Valli. ('Pattoru soor maaLa vikrama velevu, paththiru thoL veera thinai kaaval' ... Thiruppugazh: suttathupol). There is another aspect of Muruga; His Lotus Feet. While the shoulders of Muruga give us the courage, strength and support to pass through this life peacefully, what takes us to the ultimate destination, what liberate us from the world of illusion and lead us to spiritual fulfilment or immortality are the Lotus Feet of Muruga. Most of the songs of Arunagirinathar end up with the prayer to reach the Lotus Feet of Muruga. When Arunagirinathar got the vision of Lord Muruga as Gurunatha, what he first saw was the Thiruvadi, the sacred feet. He mentions this experience thus: "I was delighted beyond words when I saw your sacred feet, adorned with anklets like tandai and silambu, your lance which pierced through the krauncha hill, your broad shoulders adorned with kadambu flowers, your six sacred faces and flower-like eyes (Thiruvadiyum Thandayum, Kandhar Alangkaram 102 - திருவடியும் தண்டையும்). There are many songs that aspire for the grace of Muruga's Lotus feet. ('Ninathu thiruvadi sathimayirkodi' ... Thiruppugazh: ninadhuthiruvadi, 'Naveru paamanatha paadharame ninaithu' ... Thiruppugazh: nAvERupAmaNaththa). Arunagirinathar waxes eloquence about the significance of Lotus Feet in his Seerpadha Vakuppu. A question may arise what exactly the term; 'reaching the Lotus Feet' mean and how one, who is actively engaged in the worldly duties, could attain that end? To reach the Lotus Feet of Muruga means to give one's own Self. It means that the devotee surrenders to God totally. For those who find contemplation, meditation and Vichar Marga difficult, 'Surrender' or Saranagati has been advised as the best means to realize God. Surrender does not mean renouncing everything like relations and possessions. Surrender simply means surrendering the 'I', the ego. If the 'I' is given up, everything is given up because 'I' is the very source from where all devils like Soorapadmas, Hiranyakasipus and Duryodhanas raise their heads. By surrender, the devil called desire goes and the difference of 'yours' and 'mine' disappear. Surrender is the ideal form of Bhakti Yoga by which the devotee seeks the Lotus Feet of God and leaves the question of his protection to God. A true devotee does not merely offer obeisance to God. He offers himself to God without retaining any part of individuality for himself. He entrusts his entire life, his aspirations, his obligations, his possessions etc. to God and aspires for the grace of the Lotus Feet of God. He accepts whatever that befalls him, happiness or misery. He aims at immersing himself in God by seeking the Lotus Feet. He leaves it to God to do what is best suited for him though he continues to do the duties assigned to him. He has no other thoughts in mind except his yearning to reach the Lotus Feet of Muruga. When he surrenders unconditionally, the ego or the false notion of "I" is eliminated and he reaches the Lotus Feet of God where he experiences the presence of God within. Thus, Arunagirinathar's Thiruppugazh clearly spells out what our ultimate end should be and what means we should adopt to attain that end. Thiruppugazh provide us both the means and the end by indicating the shoulder of Muruga as the means and the Lotus Feet as the end. * * * * * * |
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| V.S. Krishnan is the author of Thiruppugazh: Glory to Lord Muruga An Essay on Kandhar Alangkaram Visit him at his website: www.thiruppugazh.org |
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