Akshara Mana Malai
This joyful Marital Garland of Letters
which resembles a
beam of the rays of the rising sun was sung by the noble Sage Ramana, the ocean of compassion, with the object of removing the delusion of the devotees who sought his grace. Those who look upon it as their sole refuge will realize within themselves that they are Arunachala and will reign in the world of Siva.1
Invocation
Gracious Ganapati
2 with Thy (loving) hand bless me, that
I may make this a marital garland of letters worthy of Sri Arunachala, the bridegroom!
Refrain
Arunachala Siva! Arunachala Siva!
Arunachala Siva! Arunachala!
Arunachala Siva! Arunachala Siva!
Arunachala Siva! Arunachala!
1.
(a) Thou dost root out the ego of those who meditate
on Thee in the Heart, Oh Arunachala!
(b) Arunachala! Thou dost root out the ego of those who
dwell on their (spiritual) identity with Thee, Oh Arunachala!
2.
May Thou and I be one and inseparable like Alagu
and Sundara,3 Oh Arunachala!
1This was composed by Sri Muruganar.
2Another name for Sri Ganesa.
3The Tamil word alagu and Sanskrit word sundara have one and the same
meaning: `beauty.' Alagu and Sundara were also the names of Sri Ramana's mother and father.
3.
Entering (my) home and luring me (to Thine) why
didst Thou keep me prisoner in Thy Heart's cavern, Oh Arunachala?
4.
Was it for Thy pleasure or for my sake Thou didst
win me? If now Thou turn me away, the world will blame Thee, Oh Arunachala!
5.
Escape this blame! Why didst Thou then recall
Thyself to me? How can I leave Thee now, Oh Arunachala?
6.
(a) Kinder far art Thou than one's own mother. Is
this then Thy all-kindness, Oh Arunachala?
(b) Kinder indeed art Thou than one's mother, such is Thy
Love, Oh Arunachala!
7.
(a) Sit firmly in my mind lest it elude Thee, Oh
Arunachala!
(b) Change not Thy nature and flee, but hold fast in my
mind, Oh Arunachala!
(c) Be watchful in my mind, lest it change even Thee (into
me) and rush away, Oh Arunachala!
8.
(a) Display Thy beauty, for the fickle mind to see
Thee forever and to rest (in peace), Oh Arunachala!
(b) The strumpet mind will cease to walk the streets if
only she find Thee. Disclose Thy beauty then and hold her bound, Oh Arunachala!
(c) The mind by her unsteadiness prevents my seeking Thee
and finding peace; (hold her and) grant me the vision of Thy beauty, Oh Arunachala!
9.
After abducting me if now Thou dost not embrace
me, where is Thy chivalry, Oh Arunachala?
10.
Does it become Thee thus to sleep when I am
outraged by others, Oh Arunachala?
11.
Even when the thieves of the five senses break in
upon me, art Thou not still in my Heart, Oh Arunachala?
12.
One art Thou without a second; who then could dare
elude Thee and come in? This is only Thy jugglery, Oh Arunachala!
13.
Significance of Om, unrivalled -- unsurpassed! Who
can comprehend Thee, Oh Arunachala?
14.
As (Universal Mother) it is Thy duty to dispense Thy
grace and save me, Oh Arunachala!
15.
(a) Who can ever find Thee? The Eye of the eye art
Thou, and without eyes Thou seest, Oh Arunachala!
(b) Being the sight of the eye, even without eyes find me
out Thyself. Who (but Thyself) can find out Thee, Oh Arunachala?
16.
As a lodestone attracts iron, magnetising it and
holding it fast, so do Thou to me, Oh Arunachala!
17.
(Unmoving) Hill, melting into a Sea of Grace, have
mercy (on me) I pray, Oh Arunachala!
18.
Fiery Gem, shining in all directions, do Thou burn
up my dross, Oh Arunachala!
19.
Shine as my Guru, making me free from faults and
worthy of Thy Grace, Oh Arunachala!
20.
Save me from the cruel snares of fascinating women
and honour me with union with Thyself, Oh Arunachala!
21.
Though I beg, Thou art callous and dost not
condescend. I pray Thee! Say to me `Fear not', Oh Arunachala!
22.
Unasked Thou givest; this is Thy imperishable fame.
Do not belie Thy name, Oh Arunachala!
23.
Sweet fruit within my hands, let me be mad with
ecstasy, drunk with the bliss of Thy essence, Oh Arunachala!
24.
Blazoned as the devourer of Thy votaries, how can I
survive who have embraced Thee, Oh Arunachala?
25.
(a) Thou, unruffled by anger! What crime has marked
me off (for Thy wrath), Oh Arunachala?
(b)Thou, unruffled by anger! What (austerities left)
incomplete (in previous births) have won me Thy special favour, Oh Arunachala?
26.
Glorious Mountain of Love, celebrated by Gautama,4
rule me with Thy gracious glance, Oh Arunachala!
27.
Dazzling Sun that swallowest up all the universe in
Thy rays, open the lotus of my Heart, I pray, Oh Arunachala!
28.
(a) Let me, Thy prey, Surrender unto Thee and be
consumed, and so have peace, Oh Arunachala!
(b) I came to feed on Thee, but Thou hast fed on me; now
there is peace, Oh Arunachala!
29.
O Moon of Grace, with Thy (cool) rays as hands,
open (within me) the ambrosial orifice and let my Heart rejoice, Oh Arunachala!
30.
Tear off these robes, expose me naked, then robe me
with Thy love, Oh Arunachala!
31.
There (in the Heart) rest quiet! Let the sea of joy
surge, speech and feeling cease, Oh Arunachala!
4The Gautama here referred to is not the Buddha but a Hindu Sage of that name
who dwelt at Arunachala.
32.
Do not continue to deceive and prove me; disclose
instead Thy transcendent Self, Oh Arunachala!
33.
Vouchsafe the knowledge of eternal life that I may
learn the glorious primal wisdom, and shun the delusion of this world, Oh Arunachala!
34.
Unless Thou embrace me, I shall melt away in tears
of anguish, Oh Arunachala!
35.
If spurned by Thee, alas! What rests for me but the
torment of my prarabdha?5 What hope is left for me, Oh Arunachala?
36.
In silence Thou saidst, `Stay silent' and Thyself
stoodst silent, Oh Arunachala!6
37.
Happiness lies in peaceful repose enjoyed when
resting in the Self. Beyond speech indeed is Thy prowess resting in the Self. Beyond speech indeed is This my state, Oh Arunachala!
38.
(a) Thou didst display Thy prowess once, and the
perils ended, return to Thy repose, Oh Arunachala!
(b) Sun! Thou didst sally forth and (the siege of) illusion
was ended. Then didst Thou shine motionless (alone), Oh Arunachala!
39.
(a) (A dog can scent out its master); am I then worse
than a dog? Steadfastly will I seek Thee and regain Thee, Oh Arunachala!
5Prarabdha is the part of destiny due to past actions (karmas) which bear fruit in
the present birth.
6Silence is the highest and most perfect form of instruction which the guru can
give, for by its nature it is the closest to the essential object of such instruction, which is the realization by the disciple of the incommunicable and inexpressible Absolute.
(b) Worse than a dog (for want of scent) how can I track
Thee (to Thy home), Oh Arunachala?
40.
Grant me wisdom, I beseech Thee, so that I may not
pine for love of Thee in ignorance, Oh Arunachala!
41.
(a) Not finding the flower open, Thou didst stay, no
better than a (frustrated) bee, Oh Arunachala!
(b) (In sunlight the lotus blossoms), how then couldst
Thou, the Sun of suns hover before me like a flower bee, saying `Thou art not yet in blossom', Oh Arunachala?
42.
(a) `Thou hast realized the Self even without knowing
that it was the truth. It is the truth itself!' Speak (thus if it be so), Oh Arunachala!
(b) Thou art the subject of most diverse views, yet art Thou
not this only, Oh Arunachala!
(c) Not known to the tattvas, though Thou art their being!
What does this mean, Oh Arunachala!
43.
(a) That each one is Reality Itself, Thou wilt of Thy
nature show, Oh Arunachala!
(b) Reveal Thyself! Thou only art Reality, Oh Arunachala!
(c) `Reality is nothing but the Self'; is this not all Thy
message, Oh Arunachala?
44.
`Look within, ever seeking the Self with the inner
eye, then will (it) be found.' Thus didst Thou direct me, beloved Arunachala!
45.
(a) Seeking Thee within but weakly, I came back
(unrewarded). Aid me, Oh Arunachala!
(b) Weak though my effort was, by Thy grace, I gained the
Self, Oh Arunachala!
(c) Seeking Thee in the Infinite Self I regained my own
(Self), Oh Arunachala!
46.
What value has this birth without knowledge born
of Realization? It is not even worth speaking about, Oh Arunachala?
47.
(a) Let me dive into the true Self, wherein merge
only the pure in mind and speech, Oh Arunachala!
(b) I, by Thy Grace, am sunk in Thy Self, wherein merge
only those divested of their minds and thus made pure, Oh Arunachala!
48.
When I took shelter under Thee as my One God,
Thou didst destroy me altogether, Oh Arunachala!
49.
Treasure of benign and holy Grace, found without
seeking, steady my wandering mind, Oh Arunachala!
50.
On seeking Thy Real Self with courage, my raft
capsized and the waters came over me. Have mercy on me, Oh Arunachala!
51.
(a) Unless Thou extend Thy hand of grace in mercy
and embrace me, I am lost, Oh Arunachala!
(b) Enfold me body to body, limb to limb, or I am lost,
Oh Arunachala!
52.
O Undefiled, abide Thou in my Heart so that there
may be everlasting joy, Oh Arunachala!
53.
(a) Mock me not, who seek Thy protection! Adorn
me with Thy Grace and then regard me, Oh Arunachala!
(b) Smile with Grace and not with scorn on me, who come
to Thee (for refuge), Oh Arunachala!
54.
(a) When I approached, Thou didst not bend; Thou
stoodst unmoved, at one with me, Oh Arunachala!
(b) Does it not shame Thee to stand there like a post,
(leaving me) to find Thee by myself, Oh Arunachala?
55.
Rain Thy Mercy on me ere Thy knowledge burn me
to ashes, Oh Arunachala!
56.
Unite with me to destroy (our separate identities as)
Thou and me, and bless me with the state of ever vibrant joy, Oh Arunachala!
57.
(a) When shall I (become) like the ether and reach
Thee, subtle of being, that the tempest of thoughts may end, Oh Arunachala?
(b) When will waves of thought cease to rise? When shall
I reach Thee, subtler than the subtle ether, Oh Arunachala?
58.
(a) I am a simpleton devoid of learning. Do Thou
dispel my illusion, Oh Arunachala!
(b) Destroy Thou my wrong knowledge, I beseech Thee,
for I lack the knowledge which the scriptures lead to, Oh Arunachala!
59.
When I melted away and entered Thee, my Refuge,
(I found) Thee standing naked (like the famous Digambara),7 Oh Arunachala!
60.
In my unloving self Thou didst create a passion for
Thee; therefore forsake me not, Oh Arunachala!
61.
(a) Fruit shrivelled and spoilt is worthless; take and
enjoy it ripe, Oh Arunachala!
(b) I am not (like) a fruit which is overripe and spoilt;
draw me, then, into the inmost recess (of the Heart) and fix me in eternity, Oh Arunachala!
7Digambara, from dik -- the directions of space, and ambara -- cloth, i.e,. one
who is clothed in the directions of space, in other words, who goes naked.
62.
(a) Hast Thou not bartered cunningly Thyself for
me (for my individuality is lost)? Oh, Thou art death to me, Oh Arunachala!
(b) Hast Thou not bartered cunningly Thyself for me (giving
all and taking nothing)? Art Thou not blind, Oh Arunachala?
63.
Regard me! Take thought of me! Touch me!8 Mature
me! Make me one with Thee, Oh Arunachala!
64.
Grant me Thy Grace ere the poison of delusion grips
me and, rising to my head, kills me, Oh Arunachala!
65.
Thyself regard me and dispel illusion! Unless
Thou do so who can intercede with Grace itself made manifest, Oh Arunachala?
66.
With madness for Thee hast Thou freed me of
madness (for the world); grant me now the cure of all madness, Oh Arunachala!
67.
Fearless I seek Thee, Fearlessness Itself! How canst
Thou fear to take me, Oh Arunachala?
68.
Where is (my) ignorance of (Thy) wisdom, if I am
blessed with union to Thee, Oh Arunachala?
69.
(a) My mind has blossomed, (then) scent it with Thy
fragrance and perfect it, Oh Arunachala!
(b) Espouse me, I beseech Thee, and let this mind now
wedded to the world be wedded to perfection, Oh Arunachala!
70.
Mere thought of Thee has drawn me to Thee, and
who can gauge Thy Glory (in Itself), Oh Arunachala?
71.
Thou has possessed me, unexorcisable Spirit, and
made me mad (for Thee), that I may cease to be a ghost (wandering the world), Oh Arunachala!
8`Regard me! Take thought of me! Touch me!' refer respectively to the three
modes of initiation, by look, by thought and by touch.
72.
Be Thou my stay and my support lest I droop helpless
like a tender creeper, Oh Arunachala!
73.
Thou didst benumb (my faculties) with stupefying
powder,9 then rob me of my understanding and reveal the Knowledge of Thy Self, Oh Arunachala!
74.
Show me the warfare of Thy Grace, in the open field
where there is no coming and going, Oh Arunachala!
75.
Unattached to the physical frame composed of the
(five) elements, let me forever repose happy in the sight of Thy Splendour, Oh Arunachala!
76. Thou hast administered the medicine of confusion to
me, so must I be confounded! Shine Thou as grace, the cure of all confusion, Oh Arunachala!
77.
Shine Thou selfless, sapping the pride of those who
boast of their freewill, Oh Arunachala!
78.
I am a fool who prays only when overwhelmed (by
misery), yet disappoint me not, Oh Arunachala!
79.
Guard me lest I flounder storm-tossed like a ship
without helmsman, Oh Arunachala!
80.
Thou hast cut the knot which hid the vision of Thy
head and foot (the limitless Self). Mother-like, shouldst Thou not complete Thy task, Oh Arunachala?10
81.
Be not (like) a mirror held up to a noseless
man, but raise me (from my lowliness) and embrace me, Oh Arunachala!
9This verse alludes to the wandering ascetics who spirit away children for
disciples, stupefying them with a pinch of powder such as sacred ashes.
10The cutting of the knot which binds man to illusion implies the attainment of
nirvikalpa samadhi [?]; completion of the task refers to the state of sahaja samadhi.
82.
Let us embrace upon the bed of tender flowers, which
is the mind, within the room of the body (or the Ultimate Truth), Oh Arunachala!
83.
How is it that Thou hast become famous from Thy
constant union with the poor and humble, Oh Arunachala?
84.
Thou hast removed the blindness of ignorance
with the unguent of Thy Grace, and made me truly Thine, Oh Arunachala!
85.
Thou didst shave clean my head (and I was lost to
the world),11 then Thou didst (show Thyself) dancing in transcendent space, Oh Arunachala!
86.
(a) Though Thou hast loosed me from the mists of
error and made me mad for Thee, why hast Thou not yet freed me from illusion, Oh Arunachala?
(b) Though Thou hast detached me from the world and
made me cleave to Thee, Thy passion for me has not cooled, Oh Arunachala!
87.
Is it true Silence to rest like a stone inert and
unexpansive, Oh Arunachala?
88.
Who was it that threw mud to me for food12 and
robbed me of my livelihood, Oh Arunachala?
89.
Unknown to all, stupefying me, who was it that
ravished my soul, Oh Arunachala?
11The parenthesis is not a mere addition to explain the implication of shaving
the head, for by an alternative reading, involving the change of a single letter,
these words become explicit in the text.
12Literally `Threw mud in my mouth', an expression meaning `caused my ruin'.
The deeper meaning of the verse is: `Who was it that individualised me and robbed me of my Perfect Being?'
90.
I spoke thus to Thee, because Thou art my Lord; be
not offended but come and give me happiness, Oh Arunachala!
91.
Let us enjoy one another in the house of open space
where is neither night nor day, Oh Arunachala!13
92.
Thou didst take aim (at me) with darts of love and
then devoured me alive, Oh Arunachala!
93.
Thou art the primal being, whereas I count not in
this nor the other world. What didst Thou gain then by my worthless self, Oh Arunachala?
94.
Didst Thou not call me in? I have come in. Now
measure out for me, (my maintenance is now Thy burden). Hard is Thy lot, Oh Arunachala!
95.
The moment Thou didst welcome me, didst enter
into me and grant me Thy divine life, I lost my individuality, Oh Arunachala!
96.
Bless me that I may die without losing hold of Thee,
or miserable is (my fate), Oh Arunachala!
97.
From my home Thou didst entice me, then stealing
into my Heart didst draw me gently into Thine, (such is) Thy Grace, Oh Arunachala!
98.
I have betrayed Thy (secret) workings. Be not
offended. Show me Thy Grace now openly and save me, Oh Arunachala!
99.
Grant me the essence of the Vedas, which shine in
the Vedanta [?], one without a second, Oh Arunachala!
100. (a) Even my slanders, treat as praise and guard me
for ever as Thine own, I pray, Oh Arunachala!
13The allusion is to the `cavity' of the Heart which is beyond time and space.
(b) Let even slander be as praise to me, and guard
me for ever as Thine own, I pray, Oh Arunachala!
(c) Place (Thy hand) upon my head! Make me partaker of
Thy Grace! Do not abandon me, I pray, Oh Arunachala!
101. As snow in water, let me melt as love in Thee, Who
art love itself, Oh Arunachala!
102. I had but thought of Thee as Aruna, and lo! I was
caught in the trap of Thy grace! Can the net of Thy grace ever fail, Oh Arunachala?
103. Watching like a spider to trap me in the web (of Thy
grace), Thou didst entwine me and when imprisoned feed upon me, Oh Arunachala!
104. Let me be the votary of the votaries of those who
hear Thy name with love, Oh Arunachala!
105. Shine Thou for ever as the loving saviour of helpless
suppliants like myself, Oh Arunachala!
106. Familiar to Thine ears are the sweet songs of votaries
who melt to the very bones with love for Thee, yet let my poor strains also be acceptable, Oh Arunachala!
107. Hill of Patience, bear with my foolish words,
(regarding them) as hymns of joy or as Thou please, Oh Arunachala!
108. Oh Arunachala! My Loving Lord! Throw Thy
garland (about my shoulders) wearing Thyself this one (strung) by me, Oh Arunachala!
Blessed be Arunachala! Blessed be His devotees!
Blessed be this Marital Garland of Letters!
Referred Resources:
Silence
Ganesa
No comments:
Post a Comment