महा भावन (mahā bhāvanā – grand role playing)
Further, similar to the above mentioned saints, இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār) has beautifully registered different பக்தி பாவனைகள் / भक्ति भावनानि (bakti bāvanaigaḻ / bhakti bhāvanāni – devotional emotions / feelings) through mystic role-playing relationships with God viz. son, wife, disciple, friend etc. Typically, such experiences involve महा भावन (mahā bhāvanā – grand role playing) by the saint, as a beloved relative of God as testified in the वेद शास्त्र (veda śāstra – vedic scripture)
In the above मन्त्र (mantra – hymn), the वेदऋषि (vedaṛṣi – vedic-seer), eulogizes अग्निदेव (agnideva – fire-deity) as next of their close kins. This मन्त्र (mantra – hymn) serves as a great testimony to the fact that such महा भावन (mahā bhāvana – grand role playing) was integral to Hinduism right from the ancient Vedic times. This theme was further extended later to various पुराण देवताः (purāṇa devatāḥ - purāṇic deities) as well. Please remember that, such महाभावन (mahābhāvana – grand role-playing) is clear indication of the noble saint’s theological/religious ways of spiritual experiences. The kind of relation that develops between the जीवात्मन् (jīvātman - individual soul) and his परमात्मन् (paramātman – divine soul), also referred to as between the shepherd and his sheep, can literally take one or more of the following forms based on the individual’s aptitude, attitude, and spiritual quotient:
- दास्य ईश्वरस्य भावन (dāsya īśvarasya bhāvana – servant of God role-play),
- पुत्र / शान्त ईश्वरस्य भावन (putra / śānta īśvarasya bhāvana – child of God role-play),
- साख्य ईश्वरस्य भावन (sākhya īśvarasya bhāvana -friend of God role-play),
- शिष्य ईश्वरस्य भावन (śiṣya īśvarasya bhāvana – student of God role-play),
- मधुर / कान्त ईश्वरस्य भावन (madhura / kānta īśvarasya bhāvana -lover / fiancee of God role-play)
Not surprisingly, இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār) has lived through most of these பக்தி பாவனைகள் / भक्ति भावनानि (bakti bāvanaigaḻ / bhakti bhāvanāni – devotional emotions / feelings), as part of his mystical experiences and this is testified by himself at many places in his திருவருட்பா (tiruvaruṭpā). For example, even in his அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி அகவல் (aruṭperuñjōti agaval), the saint relates to God as his குரு (guru- preceptor), தாய் (tāi - mother), தந்தை (tantai - father), நட்பு (naṭpu - friend), துணை (tuṇai - companion), கணவர்/காதலன் (kaṇavar/kādalan – lover / husband), மருந்து /மருத்துவன் (marundu/marutuvan) etc.
சத்புத்திரபாவம் (satputtirabāvam – good-son attitude) is an integral part of இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār) as well, as testified by him in various parts of his magnum opus திருவருட்பா (tiruvaruṭpā). In fact, according to scholars and subject matter experts like there are more than 170 occurrences in திருவருட்பா (tiruvaruṭpā) where the saint refers to God as his parent; out of which in 96 occurrences he refers to God as his Father and remaining as Mother. Again, just as how in the life of திருஞானசம்பந்தர் (tirujñānasambandar), this saint’s hunger was also quenched directly by Mother Goddess ஸ்ரீ வடிவுடையம்மன் (sri vaḍivuḍaiyamman) - अर्चावधारदेवी (arcāvadhāradevī) Herself at the sacred திருவொற்றியூர் (tiruvoṛṛiyūr) temple, as testified by the saint in his அருள்விளக்கமாலை (aruḻviḻakkamālai – grace-elucidation garland):
Moreover, his mystical outpourings in சத்புத்திரபாவம் (satputtirabāvam – good-son attitude) is explicitly found in decads like “பிள்ளைச்சிறு விண்ணப்பம் (piḻḻaicciṛu viṇṇappam)”, “பிள்ளைப்பெரு விண்ணப்பம் (piḻḻaipperuviṇṇappam)” etc. For example, in this heart touching verses, the saint makes a very emotional request to God who is not only his father but is also his mother, to graciously forgive all his lapses
Interestingly, the saint himself has expressed his mystical experiences in the same सहमार्ग (sahamārga - path of companionship) i.e., having God as his good friend as:
Similar to the works of மாணிக்கவாசகர் (māṇikkavāsagar), the revered mystic saint –poet இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār) sung several பதிகங்கள் (padigangaḻ- decads) highlighting his own bridal mystic experiences in his magnum opus masterpiece திருவருட்பா (tiruvaruṭpā). In fact, according to Vanmikinadhan, almost 23 பதிகங்கள் (padigangaḻ- decads) in this sacred text, are pregnant with such bridal themes including the following:
- திரு உலாப்பேறு (tiru ulāppēṟu)
- திருவுலா வியப்பு (tiruvulā viyappu)
- திருவுலாத் திறம் (tiruvulāt tiṟam)
- இரங்கன் மாலை (iraṅkaṉ mālai)
- காதல் மாட்சி (kātal māṭci)
- நாரையும் கிளியும் நாட்டுறு தூது (nāraiyum kiḷiyum nāṭṭuṟu tūtu)
- இன்ப மாலை (iṉpa mālai)
- இன்பக் கிளவி (iṉpak kiḷav)
- இன்பப் புகழ்ச்சி(iṉpap pukaḻcci)
- இங்கித மாலை (iṅkita mālai)
Take for example, the decad titled திரு உலாப்பேறு (tiru ulāppēṟu), the saint on witnessing the ஸ்ரீ தியாகராஜரின் திருவீதி ஊர்வலம் (srī tiyākarājariṉ tiruvīti ūrvalam – street procession of Lord Sacrifice-King) who is the chief अर्चावतारमूर्ति परमस्शिवस्य (arcāvatāramūrti paramasśivasya – iconic incarnation of supreme shiva), at the sacred shrine திருவொற்றியூர் (tiruvoṛṛiyūr). Again, the revered saint poet in his mystic ecstasy of मधुर / कान्त ईश्वरस्य भावन (madhura / kānta īśvarasya bhāvana -lover / fiancee of God role-play) sings the following decad titled இங்கித மாலை (iṅkita mālai), composed in love of Lord ஸ்ரீ தியாகராஜர் (sri tiyākarājar).
Before proceeding further, it is my duty to bring to your notice that, there are deeper spiritual meanings hidden behind these seemingly vulgar language. After all, the saint இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār) is one of the noblest of saints who has transcended all kinds of sensual and materialistic pleasures or lusts. His ascetic life itself is a testimony for the same. Moreover, he very clearly testifies himself it at multiple places in his magnum opus திருவருட்பா (tiruvaruṭpā). For example, even from a very பாலுன் குழவிப்பருவம் (pāluṉ kuḻavipparuvam - infantile/ breast feeding age), this noble saint expressed an aversion for even the very act of mother’s milk sucking as testified by him in the following verses from பிள்ளைச்சிறு விண்ணப்பம் (piḻḻaicciṛu viṇṇappam):
In the following chart I have listed the different பக்தி பாவனைகள் / भक्ति भावनानि (bakti bāvanaigaḻ / bhakti bhāvanāni – devotional emotions / feelings) of mystical-trance experienced by the saint இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār)
In fact, இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār) claims that in whatever form he conceives God, he was blessed in that form by God:
गुह्यानुभोग परभक्तेः (guhyānubhoga parabhakteḥ - mystical experience of transcendent devotion)
So far, I was discussing இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār) from the
perspective of his இறைபுகழ் இயம்பல் (iṛaipugaḷ iyambal – eulogy on God’s Glory). Now, let us briefly
discuss the आत्मशुद्धि (ātmaśuddhi – soul cleansing) aspects in his devotional
mysticism. In this regard the saint provides one of the best soul kindling
and ego-crushing accounts of the pilgrim’s progress through the Dark night of the soul, in terms of the three pronged
steps of the purgative, illuminative and the unitive ways of inner
spiritual voyage, similar to the bone melting mystic poetry of ஸ்ரீ வான்கலந்த மாணிக்கவாசகரின் திருவாசகம் (srī vāṉkalanta māṇikkavācakariṉ tiruvācakam), ஸ்ரீ தாயுமானவரின் பாடல்கள் (srī tāyumāṉavarin pāṭalgaḷ), ஸ்ரீ வேதாந்ததேசிக்காச்சாரியாரின் பரமபத சோபானம் (srī vētāntatēcikkāccāriyāriṉ
paramapata sōpāṉam), Sufi poets, Christian mystics like St. John of the cross
etc. Sri Vanmikinathan in his famous masterpiece “Pathway to God Trod
by Saint Ramalingar” discusses at length on this subject.
The author very beautifully explains thus:
“The footsteps of the Swamikal as he makes his way to the Godhead through these three sections of the Pathway, the first of which is painful and dolorous, the second a strange mixture of sorrow and joy, sorrow being replaced by joy as ignorance is slowly replaced by illumination, and the last a section of sheer delight, of mounting bliss”.
श्री वेदान्त देस्काचार्य (śrī vedānta deskācārya), one of the foremost परमाचार्य (paramācārya – chief preceptor) in the श्री वैष्णव संप्रदाय (śrī vaiṣṇava saṁpradāya) for example, in his परमपद सोपानम् (paramapada sopānam – holy-abode ladder) identifies नवविध गुह्यपर्वाणि भक्तिमार्गे (navavidha guhyaparvāṇi bhaktimārge - ninefold mystical periods in devotion-path) viz.: विवेकपर्व (vivekaparva – discrimination period), निर्वेदपर्व (nirvedaparva – revulsion period), विरक्तिपर्व (viraktiperiod – indifference period), भीतपर्व (bhītiparva – fear period), प्रसादहेतुपर्व (prasādahetuparva - purpose period), उत्क्रमणपर्वपर्व (utkramaṇa parva – dying period), अर्चिरादिपर्व (arcirādiparva – path of light period), दिव्यदेशप्राप्तिपर्व (divyadeśaprāptiparva – access into divine abode period), प्राप्तिपर्व (prāptiparva – accomplishment period). This fact is testified in the following verse:
Again, the following Tamil verses from the above text, the poet-saint further summarizes the above mentioned नव आवरणम् (nava āvaraṇam - nine steps) as follows,
In
occult yogic terms, these नवपद भक्ति सोपान मुक्तेः (navapada bhakti
sopāna mukteḥ – nine stepped devotional ladder of liberation) has
deeper esoteric significance and closely correspond to the मुक्तेः नवपद ध्यान सोपान (mukteḥ navapada dhyāna sopāna - nine stepped meditative ladder of
liberation) viz.
# |
भूमि समाधेः (bhūmi
samādheḥ - stage of atonement)
|
||
X |
सविकल्प/सबीज/ संप्रज्ञात समाधि
(savikalpa / sabīja/ saṁprajñāta
samādhi – discriminative / seeded/ cognitive atonement) based on आलम्बन / आधार योग (ālambana / ādhāra yoga – union with support / base) |
||
# |
बाह्य आलम्बन / आधार योग (bāhya ālambana / ādhāra yoga – ecstasy / union with external support
/ base) |
# |
अन्तर् आलम्बन / आधार योग (antar ālambana / ādhāra yoga – enstasy / union with internal support
/ base) |
XA1 |
सवितर्क
समापत्ति (savitarka samāpatti – yielding with deliberation) |
XB1 |
निर्वितर्क
समापत्ति (nirvitarka samāpatti – yielding
without deliberation) |
XA2 |
सविचार समापत्ति
(savicāra
samāpatti – yielding with reflection) |
XB2 |
निर्विचार
समापत्ति (nirvicāra samāpatti – yielding without reflection) |
XA3 |
सानन्द समापत्ति
(sānanda
samāpatti – yielding with joy) |
XB3 |
निरानन्द
समापत्ति (nirānanda samāpatti – yielding
without joy) |
XA4 |
सास्मित
समापत्ति (sāsmita samāpatti – yielding
with ego) |
XB4 |
निरास्मित
समापत्ति (nirāsmita samāpatti - yielding
without ego) |
Y |
निर्बीज / निर्विकल्प / असंप्रज्ञात समाधि (nirbīja
/ nirvikalpa / asaṁprajñāta samādhi – seedless /nondiscriminative /
supracognitive atonement) based on निरालम्बन
/ निराधार योग (nirālambana
/ nirādhāra yoga – union without
support / base) |
||
Y1 |
धर्ममेघ
समापत्ति (dharma
megha samāpatti – Cloud(stream) of righteousness / virtue
yielding) |
In an
alternate model such समाधि अनुभूति
(samādhi
anubhūti – atonement experience)
is
actually a multi-stepped process involving acquisition of various समापत्त्यः (samāpattyaḥ - correct yieldings). viz.
# |
भूमि समाधेः (bhūmi
samādheḥ - stage of atonement)
|
||
X |
सबीज समाधि (sabīja
samādhi – seeded atonement)
based on आलम्बन
/ आधार योग (ālambana
/ ādhāra yoga – union with support /
base) |
||
# |
बाह्य आलम्बन / आधार योग (bāhya ālambana / ādhāra yoga – ecstasy / union with external support
/ base) |
# |
अन्तर् आलम्बन / आधार योग (antar ālambana / ādhāra yoga – enstasy / union with internal support
/ base) |
A |
संप्रज्ञात समाधि (saṃprajñāta
samāpatti – cognitive atonement) |
B |
असंप्रज्ञात समाधि
(asaṃprajñāta samādhi – supracognitive atonement) |
XA1 |
सवितर्क
समापत्ति (savitarka samāpatti – yielding with deliberation) |
XB1 |
निर्वितर्क
समापत्ति (nirvitarka samāpatti – yielding
without deliberation) |
XA2 |
सविचार समापत्ति
(savicāra
samāpatti – yielding with reflection) |
XB2 |
निर्विचार
समापत्ति (nirvicāra samāpatti – yielding without reflection) |
XA3 |
सानन्द समापत्ति
(sānanda
samāpatti – yielding with joy) |
XB3 |
निरानन्द
समापत्ति (nirānanda samāpatti – yielding
without joy) |
XA4 |
सास्मित
समापत्ति (sāsmita samāpatti – yielding
with ego) |
XB4 |
निरास्मित
समापत्ति (nirāsmita samāpatti - yielding
without ego) |
Y |
निर्बीज समाधि (nirbīja
samādhi - seedless atonement) based on निरालम्बन
/ निराधार योग (nirālambana
/ nirādhāra yoga – union without
support / base) |
||
Y1 |
धर्ममेघ
समापत्ति (dharma
megha samāpatti – Cloud(stream) of righteousness /
virute yielding) |
Such states are variously called in different philosophical schools of Hinduism. For example, here is one model of classification
# |
Philosophical School associated with
the naming convention |
पूर्व भूमि समाधेः (pūrva bhūmi samādheḥ -
initial stage of atonement) |
अन्त्य भूमि समाधेः (antya bhūmi samādheḥ -
final stage of atonement) |
1 |
वेदान्त
दर्शन (vedānta darśana – philosophy of final
wisdom) |
सविकल्प
समाधि (savikalpa samādhi – discriminative atonement) |
निर्विकल्प समाधि (nirvikalpa samādhi
– nondiscriminative atonement) |
2 |
सिद्धान्त दर्शन (siddhānta darśana
–
philosophy of final accomplishment) |
सबीज समाधि (sabīja samādhi – seeded atonement) |
निर्बीज समाधि (nirbīja samādhi – nonseeded atonement) |
3 |
योगान्त दर्शन (yogānta darśana –
philosophy of final union) |
संप्रज्ञात समाधि (saṁprajñāta samādhi – cognitive atonement) |
असंप्रज्ञात समाधि (asaṁprajñāta samādhi – super cognitive
atonement) |
श्री मुथुस्वाम्य् दीक्षितर् (śrī muthusvāmy
dīkṣitar) a great doyen of Carnatic Music Composition, revered as the one
of the சங்கீத மும்மூர்த்திகள் (saṅgītamumuttigaḻ
- Holy Trinity in Music) has
composed soul rendering பக்தி கீர்த்தனைகள் (bakti kirttanaigaḻ
– devotional eulogies) addressing श्री ललितापरमेश्वरी / श्री कमलांबिका (śrī
lalitāparameśvarī / śrī kamalāṃbikā) titled कमलाम्ब नवावरणं (kamalāmba
navāvaraṇaṁ). The following table summarizes the esoteric mappings discussed so
far.
# |
भक्तियोग
मर्ग पद (bhaktiyoga marga pada – step in path
of devotional union) |
ध्यानयोग
मार्ग पद (dhyānayoga mārga pada – step in path
of meditational union) |
आवरण (āvaraṇa
- cover) |
चक्र (cakra - vortex) |
रागं (rāgaṁ) |
तालं (tālaṁ) |
1 |
विवेक (viveka – discrimination) |
सवितर्क
समापत्ति (savitarka samāpatti – yielding with deliberation) |
भूपुरपद्म (bhūpurapadma – earth-stretched lotus) |
मूलाधारचक्र (mūlādhāracakra
– root-support
centre) |
आनन्दभैरवी (ānandabhairavī) |
त्रिपुट (tripuṭa) |
2 |
निर्वेद (nirveda - revulsion) |
निर्वितर्क
समापत्ति (savitarka samāpatti – yielding without deliberation) |
षोडशदलपद्म (ṣoḍaśadalapadma – sixteen petal lotus) |
स्वाधिष्ठानचक्र (svādhiṣṭhānacakra –
original self-stage centre) |
कल्याणी (kalyāṇī) |
आदि (ādi) |
3 |
विरक्ति (virakti - indifference) |
सविचार
समापत्ति (savicāra samāpatti – yielding with reflection) |
अष्टदशदलपद्म (aṣṭadaśadalapadma
– eight petal lotus) |
मणिपूरचक्र (maṇipūracakra – whole-gem centre) |
शंकराभरणम् (śaṁkarābharaṇam) |
आदि (ādi) |
4 |
भीति (bhīti - fear) |
निर्विचार
समापत्ति (savicāra samāpatti – yielding without reflection) |
चतुर्दशारपद्म (caturdaśārapadma
– fourteen corner lotus) |
अनाहतचक्र (anāhatacakra – unstruck centre) |
कांभोजी (kāṁbhojī) |
अटा(aṭā) |
5 |
प्रसाद हेतु (prasāda
hetu - purpose) |
सानन्द
समापत्ति (sānanda samāpatti – yielding
with joy) |
बहिर्दशारपद्म (bahirdaśārapadma – external ten-corner
lotus) |
विशुद्धचक्र (viśuddhacakra – purified centre) |
भैरवी (bhairavī) |
झंप (jhaṁpa) |
6 |
उत्क्रमण पर्व (utkramaṇa parva – dying period) |
निरानन्द
समापत्ति (nirānanda samāpatti – yielding
without joy) |
अन्तर्दशारपद्म (antardaśārapadma
- internal ten-corner lotus) |
आज्ञाचक्र (ājñācakra
– command centre) |
पुन्नागवराळी (punnāgavarāḻī) |
रूपक (rūpaka) |
7 |
अर्चिरादि पर्वम् (arcirādi parvam – path of light period) |
सास्मित
समापत्ति (sāsmita samāpatti – yielding
with ego) |
अष्टकोणपद्म (aṣṭakoṇapadma
– eight-edged lotus) |
मनस्चक्र (manascakra
– mind centre) |
सहाणा (sahāṇā) |
त्रिपुटा (tripuṭā) |
8 |
दिव्यदेश प्राप्ति (divyadeśa prāpti – access into divine abode) |
निरास्मित
समापत्ति (nirāsmita samāpatti - yielding
without ego) |
त्रिकोणपद्म (trikoṇapadma
– triangle lotus) |
सोमचक्र (somacakra – lunar centre) |
घण्ट (ghaṇṭa) |
आदि (ādi) |
9 |
प्राप्ति / सिद्धि (prāpti / siddhi - accomplishment) |
धर्ममेघ
समापत्ति (dharmamegha
samāpatti – cloudstream of
righteousness yielding) |
बिन्दुपद्म (bindupadma
– point lotus) |
सहस्रारपद्मचक्र (sahasrārapadmacakra – thousand petalled
lotus centre) |
आहिरी (āhirī) |
रूपक (rūpaka) |
Please recollect that according to शैव सिद्धान्त संप्रदाय (śaiva siddhānta saṁpradāya) also there is a similar concept of दसकार्याणी साधन (dasakāryāṇī sādhana – ten act process) very closely corresponding with नव आवरणम् (nava āvaraṇam - nine steps) discussed here: As I have already discussed the same elsewhere, please refer to the same for further details:
Interestingly, the mystique saint in இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār) as part of his "Dark night of the Soul", has gone through almost all of them. Here are few random examples from his mystic poetries:
विवेक (viveka – discrimination):
The first step is the development of spiritual discriminatory knowledge of the various degrees of सत्य (satya – reality) viz., the चित् (cit - sentient soul), अचित् (acit –insentient matter) and ईश्वर् (īśvar– god). This is the stage when the आत्म (ātma - soul) kindles its conscience and is able to discriminate the differences between the triple entities viz. अचित् / अतिभूत (acit / atibhūta – nescience / essential matter), चित् / अद्यात्मिक (cit/ adyātmika – mind / essential spirit) & ईश्वर / अदिदेवत (adidevata / īśvara – god / essential divinity) at the ssme time understand their essential relationship. It is also considered as the stage for काय सुद्धि (kāya suddhi –body cleansimg). The eminent scholar and saint श्री वेदान्तदेशिकाचार्य (śrī vedāntadeśikācārya) defines this stage as follows:
Thus, according to the above definition विवेक (viveka – prudence/discrimination) here denotes the ability to prudently identify the fundamental building blocks of the phenomenal realm and classify them into hierarchies based on the ontological subtility. Such a discriminative awareness was very well demonstrated by இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār). In the lines of शैवागमशास्त्रसंप्रदाय (śaivāgamaśāstrasaṃpradāya), the saint, in his prose works, gives a very comprehensive account of various ontological entities viz. तत्त्वानि (tattvāni- evolutes), उपतत्त्वानि (upatattvāni – sub-evolutes), लोकाः (lokāḥ - worlds) & भुवनाः (bhuvanāḥ - realms) etc. For example, இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār) refers to त्रिचत्वाविंशत् प्रधाण तत्त्वानि (tricatvāviṃśat pradhāṇa tattvāni – forty-three fundamental evolutes) governing the entire cosmological process of evolution through different grades of माया (māyā – illusion) viz.
# |
वर्ग (varga - category) |
गणन (gaṇana - count) |
A |
षट् त्रिंशत् माया तत्वानि (ṣaṭ triṃśat māyā tatvāni - thirty-six paradox evolutes) |
(36) |
1 |
चतुर्विंशतिः
अशुद्धामाया तत्त्वानि प्रकृतेः (caturviṃśatiḥ aśuddhamāyā
tattvāni prakṛteḥ – twenty-four impure-paradox evolutes of matter) |
24 |
2 |
सप्त शुद्धाशुद्धमाया तत्त्वानि कञ्चुकस्य (sapta śuddhāśuddhamāyā tattvāni kañcukasya – seven pure-impure paradox evolutes
of cover), |
7 |
3 |
पञ्च शुद्धमायातत्त्वानि ईश्वरस्य (pañca śuddhamāyātattvāni īśvarasya – five pure paradox evolutes of divinity) & |
5 |
B |
सप्त माया तत्वानि (sapta māyā
tatvāni - seven grand-paradox evolutes) |
(7) |
4 |
सप्त पर तत्त्वानि परमेश्वरस्य (sapta para mahāmāyātattvāni parameśvarasya
– seven grand-paradox evolutes
of supreme divinity) |
7 |
# |
सर्वधन (sarvadhana – sum total) |
43 |
We shall discuss more about the ontological classifications subsequently, elsewhere. But what I would like to highlight here is that இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār) was not only fully aware that it was the omnipresent divinity is the underlying essence of all these तत्त्वानि (tattvāni- evolutes) making up the phenomenal world, but he had also attained soteriological liberation from the same. In his அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி அகவல் (aruṭperuñjōti agaval), for example, explains at length as to how the very essence of पञ्चमहाभूततत्त्वानि (pañcamahābhūtatattvāni – five core physical evolutes) is the none other than the सर्वप्यापिन् सर्वज्ञ सर्वशक्तिवत् परब्रह्मन् (sarvapyāpin sarvajña sarvaśaktivat parabrahman – omnipresent, omniscient omnipotent supreme divinity) theologized by him as the அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி (aruṭperuñjōti – vast grace-light)
Similarly, இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār) in his another poem titled நெஞ்சறிவுறுத்தல் (neñcaṟivuṟuttal), sings thus:
And again in the following verses from the மகாதேவ மாலை (makātēva mālai) the noble saint-poet further establishes thus:
And in his yet another famous poem திருவடிப் பெருமை (tiruvaḍipperumai), the mystic saint-poet reiterates thus:
निर्वेद (nirveda - revulsion)
The विवेक ज्ञान (viveka jñāna - discrimnatory wisdom) obtained above gradually leads the भक्त (bhakta - devotee), to a sense of निर्वेद (nirveda - self-deprecation or revulsion) and frustration due to wasting time in pursuit of worldly trivialities and pleasures so far due to अविद्या (avidyā - ignorance). The eminent scholar and saint श्री वेदान्तदेशिकाचार्य (śrī vedāntadeśikācārya) defines this stage as follows:
For example, the holy saint திரு அருட்பிரகாச இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (tiru aruṭpirakāsa irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār) in his deep mystical निर्वेद भावन (nirveda bhāvana – mood of self-deprecation / revulsion) wonders thus என்ன பாவம் செய்தேனோ (eṉṉa pāvam ceytēṉō – what sin have I commited!) by giving a huge list of widely considered மகா பாவங்கள் (magā pāvaṅgaḷ - worst sins) beginning with the following verses:
Please be informed that it is not that this noble saint par excellence has actually committed any of the above listed sinful acts. For after all, he is a great ascetic and even mere common sense will help us understand that no saint will ever indulge in such profane acts. The above song only illustrates his poetic license of extreme mystical anguish. Such emotions of self-humiliation or belittlement is a common practise among mystics in general. Thus, we should not interpret such verses very literally and wrongly infer that even saints are capable of such sins. This definitely is not the case. The भावन (bhāvana - mood) is purely a charecteristics of saintly mysticsm.
विरक्ति (virakti - indifference)
Such frustration would again eventually will
kindle a kind of विरक्ति (virakti - disinterest) to all phenomenal or worldly activities and is defined by saint
श्री वेदान्तदेशिकाचार्य (śrī vedāntadeśikācārya) defines this stage as follows:
In this context, I would like to share the spiritual experiences of the
renowned saint திரு அருட்பிரகாச இராமலிங்க
வள்ளலார் (tiru aruṭpirakāsa
iramaliṅga vaḻḻalār), who has very beautifully registered all
his experiences in mystic poetry as
testified in the following verses:
This state of continuous विरक्ति (virakti - dis-intrerest) in worldly pleasures eventually leads the soul towards वैराग्य (vairāgya - apathy) and will power of the भक्त (bhakta - devotee) not to indulge in such acts.
भीति (bhīti - fear)
Additionally, the भक्त (bhakta - devotee) is also surmounted by a sense of भय (bhaya – fear / anxiety) over his future. The eminent scholar and saint श्री वेदान्तदेशिकाचार्य (śrī vedāntadeśikācārya) defines this stage as follows
Please be noted that here in this context, भय (bhaya – fear / anxiety) is not a negative concept; but
rather it is a (indirectly) positive trigger leading to wisdom. This fact is
testified even in the Holy Biible:
The reverred saint திரு அருட்பிரகாச இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (tiru aruṭpirakāsa iramaliṅga vaḻḻalār), for example, in the following verses from his famous emotional outburst in the பிள்ளைப்பெரு விண்ணப்பம் (piḻḻaipperu viṇṇappam) registers his fear thus,
Such kind of aभावात्मक भय भक्तस्य (bhāvātmaka bhaya bhaktasya – postive fear of the devotee) sincerely leads to seeking refuge with God for safety as illustarted in the following verses
प्रसाद हेतु (prasāda hetu - purpose)
This is one of the longest and toughest stage as this is the stage of actual implementation and is termed by श्री वेदान्तदेशिकाचार्य (śrī vedāntadeśikācārya) as उपाय पर्व (upāya parva – remedy stage). The eminent scholar and saint श्री वेदान्तदेशिकाचार्य (śrī vedāntadeśikācārya) defines this stage as follows:
The four steps described above are collectively called अधिकार पर्व (adhikāra parva – qualifying phase) because it involves all the pre-requiste stages for the भक्त (bhakta - devotee) to proceed further in their spiritual journey. The विवेक ज्ञान (viveka jñāna – discriminative understanding) and the feelings of विरक्ति (virakti - indifference) & the associated भीति (bhīti - fear) thereof, eventually tunes the soul and provides him with the आत्म कार्पण्य (ātma kārpaṇya – self humility) (i.e., his limitations in his personal / bound capacities) and thereby trigger him to honestly seek from the deepest of his heart the ईश्वर अनुग्रह (īśvara anugraha – God’s Grace), to help him move forward. Once again I would like to quote திரு அருட்பிரகாச இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (tiru aruṭpirakāsa irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār) who sings his famous முறையீடு (muṛyīḍu - pleading) thus
उत्क्रमण पर्व (utkramaṇa parva – dying period)
This is the next major milestone when the भक्त (bhakta - devotee) is mentally prepared even to sacrifice his moratl life for the sake of his beloved God. The eminent scholar and saint श्री वेदान्तदेशिकाचार्य (śrī vedāntadeśikācārya) defines this stage as follows:
The reverred saint திரு அருட்பிரகாச இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (tiru aruṭpirakāsa iramaliṅga vaḻḻalār), for example, in the following verses from his famous emotional outburst in the பிள்ளைப்பெரு விண்ணப்பம் (piḻḻaipperu viṇṇappam) registers his intention for even suicide out of spiritual frustration,
अर्चिरादि पर्वम् (arcirādi parvam – path of light period)
The eminent scholar and saint श्री वेदान्तदेशिकाचार्य (śrī vedāntadeśikācārya) defines this stage as follows:
This, is a very important milestone, that demands a more detailed understanding, particularly from the soteriological perpective of the final modes of emancipation. Therefore, we will deep dive ths topic separately very soon. For now, I will just touch upon how this milestone has been experienced by the saints from the perspective of devotional mysticsm. Let us briefly analyze as to how the अर्चिरादि मार्ग (arcirādi mārga – path of light / enlightenment) plays out in the life of திரு அருட்பிரகாச இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (tiru aruṭpirakāsa iramaliṅga vaḻḻalār). At one point of his spiritual pilgrimage, the saint began to explicitly identify Supreme God, or in other words, the highest form of Divine spiritual being as அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி (aruṭperuñjoti – vast grace light). In fact, the noble saint preached it as his तारकमहामन्त्र (tārakamahāmantra).
The saint, very
clearly declares in பேருபதேசம் (pērupadēsam
– grand sermon)
which is one of his prose famous sermons delivered on 22nd of
October 1873, when he originally consecrated and hoisted the சன்மார்கக்கொடி (caṉmārkakkoṭi - truth-path flag). Here he declares that this महामन्त्र (mahāmantra – supreme mantra) was actually revealed to him by none
other than the All-Mighty God Himself
The saint visually experiences and glorifies the அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி (aruṭperuñjoti – vast grace light) thus in his magnum opus poetic masterpiece திருவருட்பா (tiruvaruṭpā)
Of course, this is not the only place in that sacred text,
where the here saint euologizes the அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி
(aruṭperuñjōti – vast grace light). In fact, the whole text is teeming with such glorifications. Here, I
cite a few such expressions from his அனுபவ மாலை (anubava mālai – garland of experience),
Thus far we have been observing as to how திரு அருட்பிரகாச இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (tiru aruṭpirakāsa
iramaliṅga vaḻḻalār) adored the highest form of Divine Spiritual Being as the அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி (aruṭperuñjōti – vast grace ligh). We shall now understand that the same spiritual light also
served as the soteriological path (means), as well as, the final end of his
spiritual journey. This fact is also testified by the saint himself, (as an
autobiographical note,) at many places in the same sacred scripture. For
example, the following are some such testimonial expressions in the famous அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி அகவல் (aruṭperuñjōti agaval)
Again, in the following verses from the same poem, the saint very
categorically reiterates that the அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி (aruṭperuñjōti – vast grace ligh) helped him to conquer death and attain the highest stated of மரணமில்லாப்பெருவாழ்வு (maraṇamillāpperuvāḻvu
– immortal Sacred Living)
दिव्यदेश प्राप्ति (divyadeśa prāpti – access into divine abode)
The eminent scholar and saint श्री वेदान्तदेशिकाचार्य (śrī vedāntadeśikācārya) defines this stage as follows
The reverred saint திரு அருட்பிரகாச இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (tiru aruṭpirakāsa
iramaliṅga vaḻḻalār), for example, in the following verses from his famous
emotional outburst in the சிவ தரிசனம் (siva darisanam) registers his final eligibility into திருசிற்றம்பலம்/சிதம்பரம் (tiruciṟṟampalam/citamparam) viz., the दिव्यदेश प्राप्ति (divyadeśa prāpti – access into divine abode)
Of course,please remember that the law of
correspondence viz. அண்ட்மே பிண்டம், பிண்டமே அண்டம் (aṇṭmē piṇṭam, piṇṭamē aṇṭam – macrocosmos is microcosmos, microcosmos is
macrocosmos). As, we
have already discussed these concets at leangth earlier, I will not repeat them
here. But, please refer back to them, for any clarification. The key point to understand here is
that the दिव्य देस द्राप्थि पर्वम् (divya deśa prāpti –
access into divine abode) is not
just a புற அனுபவம் (puṛa anubavam – external experience) anymore
for a yogic saint like திரு அருட்பிரகாச
இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (tiru aruṭpirakāsa
iramaliṅga vaḻḻalār) for
whom it is a more holistically all-inclusive immersive experience cutting
across all the realms viz. புறப்புறம் (puṛappuṛam – external outer), புறம் (puṛam – outer), அகப்புறம் (agappuṛam -internal outer) & அகம் (agam – internal) & அக
அகம்
(aga agam – innermost internal).
Interestingly, திருவருட்பிரகாச இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (tiruvaruṭpirakāca irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār) not only sings about him reaching the abode of God – in the macrocosmos, but also in many places like in திருவடிப்புகழ்ச்சி (tiruvaṭippukaḻcci), testifies the God, entering his small abode- the micro-cosmos.
प्राप्ति (prāpti - accomplishment)
Finally, we will be quickly waking through the spiritual milestone called प्राप्ति (prāpti - accomplishment) which is the topmost rung (summit consciousness) in the பரமபத சோபானம் (paramapata sōpāṉam – ladder to the divne feet). The eminent scholar and saint श्री वेदान्त देस्काचार्य (śrī vedānta deskācārya) defines this stage as follows
We shall now take a quick look at the various spiritual प्राप्ति (prāpti - accomplishment) of the noble saint திரு அருட்பிரகாச இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (tiru aruṭpirakāsa iramaliṅga vaḻḻalār). Of course the greatest accomplishment of this saint is his மரணமிலாப் பெருவாழ்வு (maraṇamilāp peruvāḻvu - immortalized supreme living) which is a kind of अमृत मुक्ति (amṛta mukti – immortal liberation). As we wil be covering this topic separately subsequently, I wil not get into those details here now. But I will just highlight some of his accomplishments, based on the அகச்சான்றுகள் (agaccānṛugaḻ - internal testimonies) from his own writings. To this end I would refer here the 16 fold catgerization of the same by eminent scholar பா கமலக்கண்ணன் (pā. kamalakkaṇṇan – P. Kamalakannan)
# |
प्राप्ति (prāpti - accomplishment) |
Count of reference expressions in திருவருட்பா (tiruvaruṭpā) |
அகச்சான்றுகள் (agaccānṛugaḻ - internal testimonies) |
1 |
அழியா வரம் பெற்றார் (azhiyā varam peṛṛār) |
36 |
-
பெறாப்பேறு (peṛāppEṛu) -
நடராஜபதி மாலை (naṭarājapadi mālai) -
சர்குரு மணிமாலை (sarguru maṇimālai) -
திருவழு விழைத்தல் (tiruvazhu vizhaittal) -
நற்றாய் செவிலிக்குகூறல் (naṛṛāi sevilikkukūṛal) -
அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி அகவல் (aruṭperuñjoti agaval) -
கீர்தனை பகுதி: சிவ சிவ (kīrtanai pagudi: siva siva) -
கீர்தனை பகுதி: பந்தாடல் (kīrtanai pagudi: pandāḍal) -
கீர்தனை பகுதி:திரு உந்தியார் (kīrtanai pagudi: tiru undiyār) -
கீர்தனை பகுதி:அம்பலவாணர் வருகை (kīrtanai pagudi: ambalavāṇar varugai) -
ஞானமருந்து (jñānamarundu) -
ஆடிய பாதம் (āḍiya pādam) -
மெய் அருள் வியப்பு (mei aruḻ viyappu) -
அருள் விளக்கமாலை (aruḻ viḻakka mālai) |
2 |
இறை அமுதம் அளிக்கப்பெற்றார் (iṛai
amudam aḻikkappeṛṛār) |
15 |
·
அருள் விளக்கமாலை (aruḻ viḻakka mālai) ·
அருட்கொடைப்புகழ்ச்சி (aruṭkoḍaippugazhcci) ·
பொன்வடிவப்பேறு (ponvaḍivappEṛu) ·
அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி அகவல் (aruṭperuñjoti agaval) ·
கீர்தனை பகுதி: சிவ சிவ (kīrtanai pagudi: siva siva) ·
மெய் அருள் வியப்பு (mei aruḻ
viyappu) ·
கீர்தனை பகுதி:அம்பலவாணர் வருகை (kīrtanai pagudi: ambalavāṇar varugai) |
3 |
அட்டமாசித்திகளும் கைவரப் பெற்றார் (aṭṭamāsiddigaḻum
kaivarap peṛṛār) |
5 |
·
அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி அகவல் (aruṭperuñjoti agaval) |
4 |
திருமாலை பொருந்தப்பெற்றார் (tirumālai
porundappeṛṛār) |
4 |
·
திருவடிப்பெருமை (tiruvaḍipperumai) ·
அனுபவமாலை (anubavamālai) |
5 |
ஆழி அளிக்கப்பெற்றார் (āzhi aḻikkappeār) |
4 |
-
நடராஜபதி மாலை (naṭarājapadi mālai) -
காட்சிக்களிப்பு (kātcikkaḻippu) -
அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி அகவல் (aruṭperuñjoti agaval) -
பிரிவாற்றாமை (pirivāṛṛāmai) -
இறை திருக்காட்சி (iṛai tirukkātcci)) -
அனுபவ நிலை (anubava nilai) |
6 |
வானுலக அணிகள் அளிக்கப்பெற்றார் (vānulaga aṇigaḻ aḻikkappeṛṛār) |
8 |
|
7 |
கங்கணம் அணிவிக்கப்பெற்றார் (kaṅgaṇam aṇivikkappeṛṛār) |
3 |
|
8 |
உயர்வான அருட்ஜோதி வழங்கப்பெற்றார் (uyarvāna arutjOti vazhangappeṛṛār) |
15 |
|
9 |
சூட்சம தேகத்தில் சிவபெருமான் பொருந்தினார் (sūṭcama dEgattil sivaperumān porundinār) |
61 |
|
10 |
ஐந்தொழில் புரியும் ஆற்றல் பெற்றார் (aindohil puriyum āṛṛal peṛṛār) |
32 |
|
11 |
நெற்றிக்கண் பெற்றார் (neṛṛikkaṇ peṛṛār) |
3 |
|
12 |
நாதாந்த நாட்டின் நாயகராகப் முடிசூட்டப்பெற்றார் (nādānta nāṭṭin nāyagarāgap muḍisūṭṭappeṛṛār) |
25 |
|
13 |
செங்கோல் அளிக்கப்பெற்றார் (seṅgOl
aḻikkappeṛṛār) |
8 |
|
14 |
வெண்கொற்றக்கொடை அளிக்கப்பெற்றார் (veṇkoṛṛakkoḍai aḻikkappeṛṛār) |
1 |
|
15 |
பஞ்சபூதங்களும் தேவர்களும் ஏவல் செய்யும் வரம் பெற்றார் (panjabūtaṅgaḻum dEvargaḻum Eval seiyum varam
peṛṛār) |
2 |
|
16 |
இறந்தோரை எழுப்பும் ஆற்றல் பெற்றார் (iṛandhOrai ehuppum āṛṛal peṛṛār) |
9 |
|
These nine
rungs
are further grouped under three main heads, wherein the first four rungs
beginning with विवेक (viveka – discrimination) and extending upto भीति (bheethi - fear) belong to अधिकार पर्व (adhikāra parva – qualifying phase), while the fifth i.e., प्रसाद हेतु (prasāda hetu)
is called उपाय पर्व (ūpāya-parva) and the last four belong to the
फल पर्व (phala-parva – fruit stage).
On similar lines, Christian mystical tradition provides very detailed testimonies of different stages in the spiritual progress towards sainthood. The monumental masterpieces like The Dark Night of the Soul, Spritual Canticle, & Ascent of Mount Carmel by the 16th century Roman Catholic mystical poet from Spain - Saint John of the Cross, serve has very authentic accounts of such experiences. In fact, the term Dark Night of the Soul has become so famous, that it has become a common technical jargon among religious scholars belonging to different belief systems. According to Evelyn Underhill, an eminent research scholar on Christian mystical theology:
“The awakening of the Self to consciousness of Divine Reality. This experience, usually abrupt and well-marked, is accompanied by intense feelings of joy and exaltation. The Self, aware for the first time of Divine Beauty, realizes by contrast its own finiteness and imperfection, the manifold illusions in which it is immersed, the immense distance which separates it from the One. Its attempts to eliminate by discipline and mortification all that stands in the way of its progress towards union with God constitute purgation: a state of pain and effort…When by Purgation the Self has become detached from the “things of sense,” and acquired those virtues which are the “ornaments of the spiritual marriage,” its joyful consciousness of the Transcendent Order returns in an enhanced form. Like the prisoners in Plato’s “Cave of Illusion,” it has awakened to knowledge of Reality, has struggled up the harsh and difficult path to the mouth of the cave. Now it looks upon the sun. This is Illumination..In the development of the great and strenuous seekers after God, this is followed—or sometimes intermittently accompanied—by the most terrible of all the experiences of the Mystic Way: the final and complete purification of the Self, which is called by some contemplatives the mystic pain” or “mystic death,” by others the Purification of the Spirit or Dark Night of the Soul. The consciousness which had, in Illumination, sunned itself in the sense of the Divine Presence, now suffers under an equally intense sense of the Divine Absence: learning to dissociate the personal satisfaction of mystical vision from the reality of mystical life. As in Purgation the senses were cleansed and humbled, and the energies and interests of the Self were concentrated upon transcendental things: so now the purifying process is extended to the very centre of I-hood, the will. The human instinct for personal happiness must be killed. This is the “spiritual crucifixion” so often described by the mystics: the great desolation in which the soul seems abandoned by the Divine. The Self now surrenders itself, its individuality, and its will, completely. It desires nothing, asks nothing, is utterly passive, and is thus prepared for...Union: the true goal of the mystic quest. In this state the Absolute Life is not merely perceived and enjoyed by the Self, as in Illumination: but is one with it. This is the end towards which all the previous oscillations of consciousness have tended. It is a state of equilibrium, of purely spiritual life; characterized by peaceful joy, by enhanced powers, by intense certitude. To call this state, as some authorities do, by the name of Ecstasy, is inaccurate and confusing: since the term Ecstasy has long been used both by psychologists and ascetic writers to define that short and rapturous trance—a state with well-marked physical and psychical accompaniments—in which the contemplative, losing all consciousness of the phenomenal world, is caught up to a brief and immediate enjoyment of the Divine Vision. Ecstasies of this kind are often experienced by the mystic in Illumination, or even on his first conversion”
No comments:
Post a Comment