OM MAHA GANAPATHAYE NAMAHA
THIRUPPUGAZH AS AN EXPERIENCE *
BY
SHRI.S.R. SUBRAMANIAN, “GURU GUHA”
· Viewers may refer to author’s book on “Grandeur of Thiruppugazh- the hallowed hymns of Arunagirinatha” published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, to get greater details of Thiruppugazh songs.
“Thiruppugazh” – the very thought of this word brings before us the radiant, handsome and valorous divine Form of Lord Subramanya and His chosen messenger of love and peace to this tormented world, Saint Arunagirinatha. The fragrance-laden garland offered by the saint-poet with utmost devotion at the Lotus Feet of his favorite deity Muruga. The benevolent Lord, on the Saint’s own admission, gladly and willingly accepted this garland of mellifluous Tamil Poems (Pamalai).
There are several distinctive features, which make Thiruppugazh stand on a different footing compared to other devotional offerings. The first and foremost is that these are dedicated to Lord Subramanya Who is regarded as the Supreme Parabrahman and Who has been given a pride of place in the Hindu Pantheon of Gods and Goddesses. He is the repository of Knowledge, very manifestation of beauty and ever-lasting youthfulness and the abode of happiness. Muruga is ever merciful and is liberal is fulfilling the wishes of His devotees.
Adi Sankara, in Sri Subramania Bhujangam, says:
“Thou art the Savior of the downtrodden; I wouldn’t beg before any god other than thyself!”
The harassed masses in this Kali Yuga would do well to surrender unto the Holy Feet of Muruga, Who has in abundance what they want, Who is never hesitant to give away these to the devout aspirants and what He has in Stock is inexhaustible. The stories of Arunagirinatha and several other holy persons who obtained the infinite grace of the Lord bear ample testimony to His concern for the well-being of His devotees during their life time; there after they achieve total emancipation from successive births in this world.
The sacred Thiruppugazh hymns sprang forth from Arunagirinatha’s holy tongue at the Lord’s command. These songs contain the very essence of Vedas, Upanishads, Agamas and puranaas. We find in them innumerable references to the epics like Ramayana, Srimad Bhagavatham and Maha Bhaarata. Arunagirinatha in these supplications pleads before Muruga for annihilation of human strives and sufferings. While pointing out several human failings and weaknesses, Arunagirinatha stresses the need for eschewal of carnal desires, egoism and other negative traits. He portrays in an exemplary manner the successive stages of human beings since birth and the ageing process, which is accompanied by manifold dreadful diseases. The Thiruppugazh songs convey in unequivocal terms that the only solace for us in Muruga’s twin holy feet; if we surrender unto them, we will have a rewarding experience. As mentioned earlier, the ever-compassionate Lord will answer to our prayers.
Another notable feature of Thiruppugazh is the Saint Arunagirinatha’s non-partisan outlook towards the six cults of Hindu worship of Godhead, namely, Ganapathya, Saivisam, Shaktam, Vaishnavism, Kaumaram and Sowra. This Sama Rasa Bhava needs to be emulated by all devotees.
Thiruppugazh hymns claim superiority in yet another aspect, Viz, its rich musical content and phraseology. The soul-stirring music and intricate Chandhams (time-measurements) embedded in them at once are captivating. Muruga is depicted as “Isai Priyan” and “Raaga Vinoda” and He is extremely fond of listening to musical renditions of Thiruppugazh songs. The magnet of Thiruppugazh cannot but attract Him towards devotees singing His glory.
Let us analyze in detail the grandeur of Thiruppugazh outlined above by drawing a few references from Arunagirinatha’s holy compositions.
It is often said that one’s life in this world is conditioned by what Brahma, the Creator, has “written on his head” (Thalai Ezhuthu). In times of distress people often lament over this writing. But Arunagirinatha says in Kandhar Alankaram, that Muruga’s Holy Feet can even change the course of events as ordained by the four-faced Lord. Says he, “Because of touch of Muruga’s Holy Feet, the writings of Ayan (Brahma) on my head here have been erased”. It is like fresh recording done over an earlier one, when the latter is automatically erased out. One can appreciate the capability of Lord’s Feet to do this unusual feat, if he reminisces the incident involving the indictment of Brahma by Muruga for the Creator not knowing the meaning of PRANAVA! Arunagirinatha also tells us in many instances that devotees of Muruga need not apprehend any ill effects caused by planetary combinations.
In one of the Thiruppugazh hymns relating to Thirutthani, Arunagirinatha addresses his favorite deity as “Bhava Roga Vaidyanatha Perumal” (“The holy Medical Practitioner who gives (preventive) treatment to ward off the disease that is birth”). We are aghast at the mention of multitudinous diseases in Thiruppugazh songs which strike at men and women. And the saint prays to Muruga that he be spared of these bodily ills in all successive births. Surely these prayers have been made on behalf of all of us.
Arunagirinatha, in one Pazhani supplication, prays to Muruga thus:
“ If e’er Thou make me fall into the birth
That’s akin to the dark sea and the hell,
(Muruga) Bestow Thy grace and have a mind
to enslave me so that
The dumbness, blindness, bodily deficiencies
And even the slightest penury do not near me,
And the (lustrous) form of gods,
Lofty lineage, wisdom and just conduct accrue to me”
(“Thirumura Udhadhi”)
Readers will notice that the saint, out of compassion, has compressed all the possible wishes of we, ordinary men and women, in this beautiful gem. Here the saint is doubting that he might again be born, though he has been praying for attaining a stage where there are no births and deaths (“Would an occasion arise at all, Muruga, when Thee would merge me unto Thee, thus putting an end to further births, sufferings and deaths”– Alankaram). The aspirations, which have been enumerated in these lines aptly, apply to us.
There will hardly be any person who does not wish to retain his or her youthful looks. No one will voluntarily welcome the old age, though it is unavoidable. “Health is Wealth”, as the saying goes. Here again it is Kumara, who bestows these boons on his devotees. Muruga is one who never gets old (“Moovaadhaayinai”- ThiruEzhukkootrikkai). He has neither a beginning nor an end and He is the very embodiment of beauty.
Without learning, one’s life will be miserable and result in sheer waste. One should be proficient in some art or other in order to make an imprint on this earth. God’s grace is a prerequisite for this and the person who has acquired knowledge should also be conscious of this fact. In Seer Paadha Vahuppu, a devotional outpouring of the saint extolling the glory of Lord Muruga’s Holy Feet, we find a mention thus: “They (Muruga’s Feet) bless (devotees) in securing the First Place in all (arts)”. Since Muruga is the repository of Jnana (Knowledge) and He acted as the Eternal Guru even to His Father (swaminatha), no wonder He makes His devotees superior in learning and knowledge. In compassion and granting boons to His devotees, His Holy Hands even surpass Chintamani, Cluster of clouds, Kama Dhenu, Snagha Nidhi, Padhuma Nidhi and the quintuple divine trees” (Puya Vahuppu).
In Thirutthani Thiruppugazh “Chinatthavar Mudikkum” Arunagirinatha reminds us that Thiruppugazh will “fulfil all desires” (that devotee of Muruga has in mind) and it “will melt one’s soul”. The Lord’s powerful Spear (Vel) “would start off with rage to put an end to the enmities facing those who recite the inexplicably glorious Thiruppugazh and would help in establishing Dharma”- (Vel Vaguppu)
Arunagirinatha further reassures us in a pazhani Thiruppugazh (“Karuppu Vilil”) that Muruga, the lover of music, destroys the penury and enmity of those who expound and recite Thiruppugazh and blesses them for success.
Such is the glory of Thiruppugazh. This is certainly an ideal and convenient meadium through which one can seek the grace of Muruga and with quick, positive results. Thiruppugazh way of life is unique—one that is guided by tenents enshrined in Arunagirinatha’s prayers. A life, which is dominated by love and pride, jealousy, anger, enmity and unjust desires and where the person is steadfast in his devotion to Muruga. To quote Arunagirinatha, “Lord’s Holy Feet get drenched in the flow of tears of devotees who sing his glory, dance (in ecstasy), shed tears and surrender unto His Feet imploring: “Muruga! The Six-Faced Lord who was breast-fed by Six Kirthigai Maidens! Kumaraa! (Seer Padha Vahuppu).
When several like-minded devotees bound by the sacred bond of Thiruppugazh come together and sing Thiruppugazh in perfect harmony, one can feel the prevailing divine atmosphere there. Soon the circle widens and a happy, contended giant family, knowing no territorial barriers, emerges whose members invariably enjoy an inexplicable divine bliss. One such is ours- THIRUPPUGAZH ANBARGAL, a Registered body engaged in propagation of Thiruppugazh and other sacred works of Saint Arunagirinatha for almost five decades. Its Founder-President is Revered Guruji Shri. A.S. Raghavan who has set to tune 500 Thiruppugazh songs in melodious Ragas. Out of unbounded compassion Guruji has arranged for imparting training of these songs to interested devotees free by a large number of dedicated teachers, both in India and abroad. As a back-up measure books containing these songs with details of Raga, Chandham etc, & audio-cassettes have been made available. Indeed an incomparable noble mission.
(TYPE SET BY : Dr. B. SUBRAMONIAN,
S.P. Sundara Bhavanam,Manacaud.P.O, Trivandrum)
ON SHASHTI DAY -17th October 2007
OM SARAVANA BHAVAAYA NAMAHA
